CHATTOGAVILLE, GA – Georgia law enforcement revealed new information concerning a Christmas Eve murder investigation which led to a confrontation, ending in them shooting the prime suspect. The individual did not survive his injuries.
Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call from Johnson Cemetery Road, in the area of Chattoogaville, where they discovered a deceased woman. With additional assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) special agents, the victim was identified as 50-year-old Sherrie Leigh Little, a resident of Summerville.
Multiple law enforcement units, including Summerville Police Department, conducted a search at Little’s residence. From the evidence gathered, it was determined Little was likely killed at her home. Subsequently, authorities believe her body was discarded near the Johnson Cemetery Road shortly after her death.
By Sunday evening, 44-year-old John Wayne Siffles had emerged as the primary murder suspect. A warrant was secured for his arrest. Authorities suspected that Siffles may have been taking shelter in a dwelling on Highland Avenue, situated within close proximity to the initial crime scene.
Backed by a search warrant, law enforcement attempted to arrest Siffles. After being hit with pepper spray and tasers, the sheriff’s office reported that Siffles yielded a knife and attempted to attack the officers. This led to the law enforcement officers firing their weapons at Siffles.
Following the encounter, Siffles was transported to the Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigations into the shooting are now under the purview of the GBI, which is standard protocol when law enforcement officers in Georgia utilize their firearms, to determine if the use of force was justified.