Man kills self in standoff

The Bath man who held a number of law enforcement officers at bay during a five-hour standoff Friday morning shot and killed himself before deputies could take him into custody, officials said.

Thirty-six-year-old Martin Jarrett committed suicide at his girlfriend's residence at 130 Railroad St. in Bath as law enforcement officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Columbia County (Ga.), Sheriff's Office, Richmond County Sheriff's Office (Ga.) and the Aiken County Sheriff's Office attempted to coax him outside and surrender on a number of outstanding warrants.

The standoff began around 2 a.m.

According to sources, Jarrett and his girlfriend got into a fight at a bar in Richmond County earlier in the evening, and he left her behind without a ride home.

She called law enforcement.

Deputies in both Georgia counties had warrants for Jarrett.

Capt. Steve Morris, a spokesperson for the Columbia County Sheriff's Office, said Jarrett was wanted on allegations he had broken into a home earlier in the week and had a confrontation with a woman at the home.

"He didn't hurt her, but he took her glasses and cell phone," Morris said.

He eventually gave her back her stuff, but warrants had been issued for his arrest for possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime, possession of a weapon by a felon, two counts of burglary, aggravated assault and armed robbery.

He was also wanted in Richmond County on a probation and parole violation.

Jarrett's girlfriend gave officials consent to search the home after she contacted them.

"He was there, but he wouldn't let us in," said Capt. Troy Elwell, an Aiken County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.

Negotiations with the man began.

Sometime between 4 and 7 a.m., Jarrett fired two shots inside the residence.

He struck a computer and a television, officials confirmed.

"About 7 a.m. the decision was made to gas the house and get him to come out," Elwell said. "Once that happened, we heard a third shot."

Officials entered the house and found him dead.

The smell of tear gas was still heavy in the air several hours after the tear gas was deployed. By about 10 a.m., Jarrett's body was taken from the home to be autopsied in Newberry.

State agents recovered a weapon and a clip from inside the home.

The autopsy revealed that Jarrett died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.