Bartow County, GA – Authorities are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of 39-year-old Dylan Burl Rice, who was killed by Bartow County Sheriff’s deputies while serving a search warrant linked to a suspicious fire that resulted in his mother’s death.
The incident unfolded on the evening of December 1, 2025, at a residence on GA-20 Spur in Cartersville, transforming a typically serene neighborhood into a hub of law enforcement activity. Neighbors reported a heavy police presence near a local school, initially mistaking the sounds for routine activities like hunting or gun cleaning. “There were lots of police cars near the school,” recounted resident Gayle Webster, who later heard two distinct shots.
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According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), deputies arrived to execute a search warrant connected to an ongoing death probe. Rice, refusing commands to exit, prompted the use of flashbangs to force him out through the back door. Officials state he emerged holding what appeared to be a long gun, which he allegedly pointed toward officers, leading them to open fire. Subsequent examination revealed the item was a pellet air rifle.
Rice had prior legal entanglements, including summer warrants for criminal damage to property and trespassing, though records may be incomplete due to recent holidays. The warrant’s tie to his mother’s fatal fire adds a layer of complexity, positioning Rice as a key person of interest in that case.
The GBI has assumed the investigation, standard protocol for such incidents in Georgia, with findings to be reviewed by the Cherokee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. As the community processes the event, questions linger about the circumstances and use of force, underscoring ongoing discussions on law enforcement tactics. Updates are expected as the probe advances.