Police Shooting Kills Rape Suspect In Cherokee Co.

CANTON, GA — A 52-year-old Cartersville man accused of rape was shot and killed by Cherokee County deputies Friday night in a SWAT incident in Canton, authorities said.

Deputies were assisting Floyd County authorities with an arrest warrant for rape around 11:15 p.m. at a Ficklen Church Way home, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the warrants against the suspect were also issued for incest and entering auto. The GBI identified the suspect as Charles H. Woodall.

Woodall lived at the Canton home, the GBI said. When deputies arrived to serve the warrants, the GBI said Woodall pointed a gun at deputies.

The Cherokee SWAT team then responded, and despite their negotiation efforts, Woodall was accused of not putting down the gun and continuing to point at deputies.

The GBI said authorities then shot Woodall and subsequently rendered aid. Cherokee County firefighters pronounced Woodall dead at the scene, the GBI said.

Woodall will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.

Once completed, the case file will be given to the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.