Domestic ends in shooting

At roughly 7 a.m. on Sunday, The Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at 207 Danube Way in Byron, which resulted in gunfire.

According to Special Agent J.T. Ricketson with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a woman was able to leave the residence that morning and when she felt she was a safe distance away, she placed a call to 911. When deputies arrived, 47-year-old Michael Leatherwood was inside the residence. After Leatherwood answered the door, he asked deputies if they were with the Byron Police Department and was advised by the deputy that they were with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. While in the area of the front porch, another deputy heard what he recognized as a round being loaded into a rifle.

Ricketson said that at that point deputies left the front porch area and took cover. Amid fog and darkness, Leatherwood’s silhouette was seen over the fence in the backyard, illuminated by lights from a house behind the residence. Leatherwood later exited the front door and opened fire on the deputies. Three of the four officers on the scene returned fire.

Ricketson explained that Leatherwood was struck by gunfire at least once, while an officer was struck in the hand. Emergency medical services responded, administering aide to both Leatherwood and the officer. Both were taken to Navicent Health in Macon.

Ricketson noted that the deputy has been treated for his injuries and released, but was unable to speak to the condition of Leatherwood at the time.

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