GBI Releases More Information in Habersham Shooting

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is releasing more information on Sunday’s fatal shooting in Habersham County.

GBI officials held a press conference Monday.

The incident occurred just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday near Clarkesville on Lower Pond Court

GBI Deputy Director for Investigations Russell Andrews said that Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell and two other deputies responded to a call for a domestic dispute and shots being fired.

Andrews said they were then confronted by a Ford Crown Victoria that was speeding towards them that veered off and spun out in a yard.

According to Andrews, Anthony Giaquinta, the suspect, was in that car.

“Anthony Giaquinta got out of the Crown Victoria and then he ran into the wooded area near where the vehicle stopped,” said Andrews.

Andrews said that Sheriff Terrell, Deputy Bill Zigan, and a third unidentified deputy then went to the residence where the call came from and found Kathy Giaquinta Smith, Anthony Giaquinta’s ex-wife, dead in the home.

He went on to say that after authorities found Smith, Giaquinta ambushed them.

“Deputy Zigan was confronted by Anthony Giaquinta on the outside of the residence,” said Andrews. “He was likely ambushed.”

It was then, Andrews said, that Zigan was shot by Giaquinta.

According to Andrews, Sheriff Terrell and the other deputy then returned to the garage area after having gone into the house.

Andrews said that is when Terrell was shot and he and the other deputy were able to return fire and retreat to safety.

He went on to say that SWAT teams from Hall County and the Georgia State Patrol then showed up and found Giaquinta in a rear yard, dead.

“At this point, we believe that he was likely killed by the return fire from law enforcement,” said Andrews.

Andrews said a third victim, 45-year-old Steven Thomas Singleton of Flowery Branch, was found dead in a side yard and authorities believe he was killed prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Terrell and Deputy Zigan were both released from the hospital after being treated for their gunshot injuries.

Numerous other local law enforcement agencies responded to the scene.

That includes Stephens County, according to Sheriff Randy Shirley.

Shirley said he activated his office’s DELTA unit after hearing of the call.

“We traveled to Habersham County and met up at the command post,” said Shirley. “We were ready to assist along with other agents and deputies from the northeast Georgia area.”

Andrews said the GBI continues to investigate the case with the assistance of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

Giaquinta is a former law enforcement officer with numerous agencies, including the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

Andrews said that Giaquinta was terminated from Habersham County in 2013 because of allegations of domestic violence, but he was never convicted of an offense.