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Justin Eric Hardin

Age : 45

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 03/17/2026

Location : Interstate 75 overpass at Highway 20

City : Cartersville

County : Bartow

State : Georgia

Agency : Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Bartow-Cartersville Drug Task Force

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police after pursuit

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 03/17/2026, Bartow County deputies and drug task force agents attempted to serve an arrest warrant on a 45-year-old man in Cartersville. Deputies attempted a stop in a motel parking lot, and the driver continued driving. Police chased the vehicle a short distance and performed a PIT maneuver under the Interstate 75 overpass at Highway 20. A passenger exited and deputies detained her. Deputies gave commands and attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle using spray and by breaking a window. During this encounter, the man had a gun and fired at deputies. Deputies opened fire, killing him. Authorities later reported finding a large amount of suspected methamphetamine in the vehicle. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2026/03/18/man-shot-killed-by-bartow-county-deputies-after-opening-fire-them-gbi-says/
https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fatal-deputy-shooting-under-i-75-overpass-part-drug-investigation-gbi
https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/man-killed-by-deputies-after-traffic-stop-police-chase-in-bartow-county-gbi-says/