GBI waiting for reports, results on man in custody’s death

Published 11:11 am Thursday, September 3, 2020

CAIRO — Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation say they’re still awaiting the results of a final autopsy and toxicology report of a man who died in police custody last month before taking any action on the case.

GBI Special Agent in Charge Jamy Steinberg said there is currently no indication as to when either report on Paul Charles Guerrero will be completed. Guerrero, 68, died August 16 after SWAT agents noticed he had become unresponsive following his arrest in an apparent domestic dispute. An autopsy performed last month did not reveal an immediate cause of death.

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The case will be handed to the district attorney for review once all reports are received.

A GBI press release states that Guerrero refused to communicate with authorities after he had barricaded himself in a room inside his Beth Page Road residence in Grady County. A SWAT team from neighboring Thomas County attempted to force Guerrero out of the room using pepper spray and “several less lethal weapons,” but GBI says the 68-year-old threw out the gas canister and physically resisted arrest.

It is unclear how Guerrero exited the room.

The press release states that SWAT agents noticed Guerrero had become unresponsive after he had been handcuffed and removed from the scene. SWAT medics and emergency medical technicians at the scene attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful.

Grady County Sheriff Harry Young requested that GBI look into the incident.

Prior medical records have been sought to aid medical examiners in determining Guerrero’s cause of death.

Deputies with the Grady County Sheriff’s Office had responded to a 911 call regarding a man having troubling breathing at a residence off of Beth Page Road. Upon their arrival, deputies encountered a female who had apparently been assaulted and was bleeding from a head wound and quickly determined the case to be a domestic incident.

Authorities attempted to speak with Guerrero, who had locked himself inside a room, but made no progress, and the Thomas County SWAT Team was called in for assistance. Grady County deputies were pulled from the scene once SWAT arrived, according to a lead investigator.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact GBI at 229-225-4090.