Ellijay Man Shot During Gunfire Exchange With Gilmer County Deputies Following Domestic Dispute

ELLIJAY, Ga. – A 47-year-old Ellijay man was injured in an officer-involved shooting Friday afternoon, October 16, 2026, after allegedly exchanging gunfire with Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office deputies responding to a domestic dispute.

The man, identified as Rickey Neil Gary, 47, fled into a wooded area following the shooting before surrendering to authorities nearly three hours after the initial 911 call, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

Gary was transported to an area hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.

No deputies were injured during the incident.

Deputies Respond to Domestic Dispute on Yukon Road

According to preliminary information released by the GBI on October 17, the incident began at approximately 12:55 p.m. Friday when Gilmer County authorities received a 911 call reporting a domestic dispute at a residence in the 2000 block of Yukon Road in Ellijay.

Deputies with the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office responded to the property and encountered Gary standing in the yard.

During the encounter, Gary allegedly retrieved a rifle from the backseat of his truck.

Deputies ordered Gary to drop the weapon, but he did not comply, according to investigators.

Instead, Gary walked away from the deputies while carrying the rifle and entered an outdoor garage on the property.

Gunfire Exchanged Between Gary and Deputies

The confrontation escalated when Gary and the responding deputies exchanged gunfire near the outdoor garage.

The GBI has not disclosed how many shots were fired, how many deputies discharged their weapons or the exact circumstances immediately preceding the exchange. That information will be released at the conclusion of their investigation.

Gary was injured during the incident, although investigators have not specified where he was struck or the extent of his injuries.

Following the gunfire, Gary fled into the woods surrounding the residence.

No law enforcement officers were injured.

Suspect Emerges From Woods Nearly Three Hours After Initial Call

After Gary fled into the wooded area, authorities continued working to locate and apprehend him.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., Gary emerged from the woods and was taken into custody without further incident.

His apprehension came approximately two hours and 45 minutes after the initial domestic dispute call.

Gary was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. At the time, he was in stable condition and expected to recover from his wounds. After his release, he was booked into the Gilmer County Jail.

He has been charged with Reckless Conduct, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault Against Law Enforcement Officer and 3 counts of Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers by Use of Threats or Violence.

GBI Investigating Gilmer County Officer-Involved Shooting

The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.

GBI agents are examining the circumstances surrounding the domestic dispute response, Gary’s alleged actions with the rifle and the exchange of gunfire between Gary and deputies.

The agency has not released additional details about the original domestic dispute or identified other individuals involved in the call.

The investigation remains active and ongoing.