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.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Comment Title: Man kills self
Whether or not this man was a good father or uncle or family man is not the issue. He robbed from innocent people and violated their privacy. I have a relative who was robbed by this man and her life was turned upside down. All her heirlooms were stolen and can never be replaced. What kind of "good" family person would do this to other families?
Posted by: On: 7/3/2009
Comment Title:
this man was my father and he was the greatest dad any girl could ask for ... i wouldnt have traded him for the world ... i miss him dearly and i will always love him. to all the people who are leavin nasty comments ... back off he was a good man ... i love and miss you dearly daddy !!! r.i.p. !!!
Posted by: lisa scarboro On: 7/2/2009
Comment Title: to my uncle marty
we love and miss u dearly we all know he was a good person we love u and miss u and i dont apprciate all the nasty comments that was wrote....thanks please dont write nasty comments he was still a human being and does not need to be treated that way by some nasty comments love u....uncle marty
Posted by: samlee On: 6/29/2009
Comment Title: man kills self
He shouldn't have fought w/her & left her w/no ride home. Don't "p.o." any woman who knows you have outstanding warrants. Simple.
5