Wanted Man Dies After Shooting Himself During I-75 Traffic Stop in Bartow County

ADAIRSVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of a 40-year-old South Carolina man who authorities say shot himself immediately after Georgia State Patrol troopers stopped his truck on Interstate 75 in Bartow County.

The GBI identified the man as Nicholas Marino, 40, of Graniteville, South Carolina.

At approximately 10:50 a.m. Sept. 24, Georgia State Patrol troopers spotted a truck matching the description of a vehicle included in a South Carolina law enforcement BOLO, or be-on-the-lookout alert, involving Marino.

Troopers initiated a traffic stop on southbound I-75 at Exit 306 near Adairsville, according to preliminary information released by the GBI.

After the truck stopped, Marino shot himself inside the vehicle, the GBI said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities did not provide information about why Marino was the subject of the South Carolina BOLO or which South Carolina agency issued the alert.

Marino’s body was taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

The GBI is investigating the death at the request of the Georgia State Patrol and Adairsville Police Department.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Calhoun at 706-624-1424.