Suspect Killed, 2 Injured In Triple Shooting In Paulding Co.

ROCKMART, GA — Two people were injured, and a third person was killed, in a shootout after authorities say a man asleep inside of his vehicle was attacked Saturday in unincorporated Paulding County.

Authorities said Friday the fatal shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Crossroads Church Road in Rockmart.

Responding deputies found a man dead at the scene, who was identified by authorities as 35-year-old Brandon Michael Stephens, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office said.

Stephens was identified as one of two men who authorities said attacked a 38-year-old man who was asleep in his car in his driveway. The other suspect was identified as Troy Douglas Sparks, 34, authorities said.

The sheriff's office said Sparks and Stephens had past issues with the man who was attacked. While the man was asleep, authorities said Sparks and Stephens broke out his car window and started assaulting him with a blunt object.

Then, authorities said the man exchanged gunfire with Stephens, during which Stephens was killed and Sparks and the man were injured in the shooting.

It was deemed by the sheriff's office that the man acted in self-defense, authorities said.

Sparks was arrested and charged on suspicion of murder and aggravated assault, authorities said. Additionally, he is being held for a warrant out of Cobb County, authorities said.

Paulding County Jail records show Sparks is being held without bond.