The man who engaged four deputies in a shootout in Nakina Wednesday has been identified as a South Carolina resident.
Henry Allen Zartman, 66, was pronounced dead on the scene. The State Bureau of Investigation named Zartman today.
Zartman allegedly opened fire on deputies responding to a report of shots being fired at a home on Seven Creeks Highway around 10:45 p.m. Zartman was reportedly waiting in a wooded area beside the home when deputies arrived. When deputies confronted Zartman, he opened fire. Deputies returned fire, and he was struck by multiple rounds, a source close to the investigation said.
The four deputies, whose names have not been released, are on administrative leave while the investigation is completed. Sheriff Bill Rogers requested the SBI and District attorney’s Office handle the investigation, as is standard in officer involved shootings.
“We want a thorough, complete investigation,” Rogers said.
Traffic was blocked in the area until around 9 a.m. Thursday while investigators secured the scene.