Deadly Bartow County Traffic Stop Turns Tragic: 50-Year-Old Woman Fatally Shot by Deputies After Allegedly Brandishing Gun During Armed Standoff

BARTOW COUNTY, GA — A tense and tragic confrontation unfolded in Bartow County on Wednesday night, ending with the death of a local woman during a police-involved shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that 50-year-old Carrie Hall of Cartersville was fatally shot by law enforcement officers after she allegedly brandished a firearm during a felony traffic stop.

The incident, which is now under intense scrutiny, began hours earlier with a report of gunfire at a private residence.

Sequence of Events Leading Up to the Shooting

According to preliminary details released by the GBI, the series of events began when Hall reportedly arrived at a Bartow County residence and fired a weapon. The nature of her visit, the motive behind the alleged discharge of the firearm, and any relationship between Hall and the residents have not been publicly detailed.

The homeowner, who reportedly knew Hall personally, provided responding deputies with her identity, prompting authorities to launch a search for her vehicle.

By 8:40 p.m., deputies with the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, alongside an officer from the Cartersville Police Department, located Hall’s vehicle near State Route 20/Canton Highway and Conference Center Drive, an area not far from downtown Cartersville and frequented by both local and through traffic.

Confrontation During Felony Traffic Stop

Given the seriousness of the report involving firearm discharge, law enforcement officials initiated a felony traffic stop, a high-risk procedure typically used when there’s reason to believe the suspect may be armed or dangerous.

Authorities say that during the stop, Carrie Hall exited her vehicle while holding a firearm. According to accounts provided to the GBI by those involved in the incident, multiple commands were issued instructing Hall to drop her weapon.

Despite repeated warnings, Hall allegedly failed to comply.

At some point during the ensuing standoff, officers opened fire, striking Hall. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene, which was cordoned off for hours overnight as investigators processed the area.

The exact sequence of actions that led to the moment when shots were fired remains unclear, and the GBI has not yet confirmed whether Hall discharged her weapon during the standoff.

GBI Investigation Underway

The GBI has launched a full officer-involved shooting investigation, a standard protocol anytime law enforcement officers discharge their weapons in the line of duty resulting in injury or death.

Officials from the agency have been conducting interviews with officers and witnesses, collecting body camera footage, and gathering forensic evidence from the scene. As with similar investigations, the GBI will compile a comprehensive case file and submit it to the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office, which will ultimately determine whether the use of force was legally justified.

At this time, no officers were injured, and no charges have been filed against any parties involved.

Community Response and Ongoing Questions

The shooting has left the community shaken, particularly in Cartersville where Hall was known. Though little is known publicly about her background or the circumstances that may have led to the confrontation, residents are already voicing concerns and seeking answers.

Among the key unanswered questions:

• What prompted Hall to allegedly fire a gun at the initial residence?
• Did she make any threatening statements or gestures before being shot?
• Did Hall fire her weapon during the traffic stop?
• Were any mental health or crisis intervention teams involved or alerted?

Local civil rights organizations and legal advocates are closely monitoring the investigation, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in officer-involved shootings.

Next Steps

The GBI is expected to release more information once the initial phase of the investigation concludes. This may include bodycam footage, official autopsy results, and further forensic findings.

Meanwhile, the Bartow County District Attorney’s Office will review the completed case to determine whether the officers’ use of deadly force was in line with state law and departmental policy.

As the investigation unfolds, the family of Carrie Hall may also choose to retain legal representation or issue a public statement.