Murder Suspect Surrenders After Standoff at Cleveland, Georgia Home

CLEVELAND, Georgia – A man wanted on a murder warrant out of Franklin County surrendered peacefully Tuesday morning following a brief standoff at a residence in Cleveland, Georgia, according to the Cleveland Police Department.

Police said officers were conducting a follow-up investigation around 11 a.m. May 26 related to an earlier assault at a residence on Hood Street.

During the investigation, officers learned the assault suspect, identified as 55-year-old Julius Scott Dorsey of Cleveland, was inside the home and refusing to come out.

Investigators also discovered Dorsey was wanted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office on an outstanding murder warrant. That murder charge was for the death of 40-year-old Lisa Milligan. She died of a drug overdose after Dorsey provided her with methamphetamine.

Authorities said officers believed Dorsey could be armed, prompting them to evacuate all other occupants from the residence for safety.

The White County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and additional officers from neighboring agencies were called to assist during the standoff.

Following negotiations, Dorsey exited the home unarmed and surrendered without incident, police said.

He was taken into custody and transported to the White County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said multiple agencies assisted during the operation, including the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Helen Police Department, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said the assault case and murder investigation both remain active and ongoing.