A Hall County man is dead following a standoff in Barrow County that began Friday afternoon when deputies attempted to serve him with a warrant for murder, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The incident took place around 3 p.m. in the 700 block of Melinda Drive. Jason Foreman, 45, of Lula, met Hall deputies with gunfire, striking two of them. Both were treated and released at the scene, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Nicole Bailes confirmed.

The deputies returned gunfire, striking Foreman. He later was pronounced dead at the scene.

The deputies’ names are being withheld pending investigation.

Once gunfire was exchanged, things elevated to what is called a “barricaded gunman,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Mike Ayers said.

“Based on that situation, a perimeter was set, the GBI bomb squad was contacted, where a robot was brought here, because that would constitute the safest form of entry into the residence,” Ayers said. “The robot entered the residence and upon entry discovered the (suspect).”

The GBI is the lead investigative agency conducting the use of force investigation. Hall County will continue to be in charge of the homicide investigation, Ayers said.

The residence was that of a friend of Foreman’s, Bailes added.

She said Foreman was the main suspect in a slaying that took place Thursday night in the 4000 block of Cagle Road in Hall County, where a 32-year-old male died. Bailes said in an email the victim died of a stab wound to the chest.

Bailes stated there were other occupants in the home and were being interviewed by authorities.

Earlier in the day, Hall County Coroner Marion Merck’s office confirmed the slaying. The representative from Merck’s office said the body had been sent for an autopsy and the incident was being treated as a homicide.

A friend of the deceased said she was shocked when she learned about the slaying.

Sherry Moschella of Gainesville, who described the victim as a man in his 30s, said he was “a very sweet guy. He would do anything to help anybody out. He was friendly, could get along with anybody.”

Shannon Casas, Zac Taylor, Frank Reddy and Nick Watson contributed to this story.