Last Friday, a standoff that ended in the death of a Dooly County resident was reported in the national media. It was a domestic disturbance that ended tragically because of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The name of the dead gunman was initially withheld by the police, as well as some of the details of the incident. It was only on Tuesday that the name of the gunman and details of the incidence were made public.
After eight hours of standoff with police, J.J. Harper, an Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan of Georgia, apparently committed suicide. He fired several shots at the police and the police returned fire but his death was not because of gunfire from the police.
According to a report by WALB, the Klan leader died on Friday after a long standoff and futile attempted negotiations involving several law enforcers.
Harper had barricaded himself in his house after a domestic dispute. According to eyewitnesses, Harper was wearing a bullet resistant vest and gas mask while brandishing weapons, including a rifle and handguns. He was seen entering and exiting his house several times as the law enforcers tried to pacify him.
As reported by The Telegraph, the deputies were present in the site because they were implementing a court decree about Harper’s impending divorce. Several properties were being removed as part of the decree but Harper resisted and barricaded himself as he also attempted to retrieve some of his remaining stuff.
The Dooly County Sheriff confirmed that Harper was an active member and a high-ranking officer of the Ku Klux Klan.
No law enforcer was hurt in the exchange of fire and special action team also tried to use non-lethal deterrents to subdue the suspect. The team used tear gas but a gunshot was heard inside the house just after the exchange of fire.
Featured image via WALB video screen grab.
