A South Hall man wanted on a battery warrant was found dead in a ravine near Stephens Road with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.
Deputies met Tuesday, Aug. 14, with a woman living with Leonardo Jimenez, 55. The woman had “visible scratches and bruises to her chest,” according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies later took out a warrant for Jimenez on a misdemeanor battery charge under the Family Violence Act. The warrants division went to arrest Jimenez at his residence around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, where Jimenez was “observed holding a handgun outside of the residence” before running away. Deputies later heard gunfire but did not return fire.
Oakwood Police, Department of Public Safety and Flowery Branch Police assisted after a perimeter was set up around the residence.
“The Hall County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded and ultimately located Jimenez around 5 p.m., in a ravine, behind the residence in the area he was last seen running towards. He was unresponsive and appeared to have died as result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” Ware wrote.
The case is still under investigation.