Richmond County, GA (March 17, 2020) – On Wednesday, April 15, 2020, at approximately 11:50 PM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred at the Super 8 Motel located at 3026 Washington Road in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 8:30 PM, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Super 8 Motel to conduct a welfare check on Goldie Bellinger, age 39, of Williston, South Carolina. Bellinger was a guest at the hotel. Deputies responded to the hotel & made contact with Bellinger. Bellinger refused to speak with them and barricaded himself in a hotel room. One of the responding deputies saw that Bellinger was in possession of a firearm. Bellinger also pointed the firearm at the deputies.

The Richmond County SWAT team responded to the scene and began attempting to negotiate with Bellinger. The preliminary investigation has revealed that during negotiation attempts Bellinger began firing at the SWAT team.  Three SWAT team members returned fire, striking Bellinger.

Bellinger was removed from the room by SWAT team members and EMS personnel attempted to provide aid to Bellinger, but he died as a result of his injuries. Bellinger’s body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur, GA where an autopsy will be performed later.

No officers were injured in this incident.

The GBI will continue its independent investigation of the officer involved shooting. Upon completion of the investigation, it will be turned over to the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for review