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Man accused of fatal shooting, holding woman and child hostage identified

The GBI is investigating whether the shooting suspect killed himself or was fatally shot by an officer.

COBB COUNTY, Ga. -- Police say a woman and child are safe but a one person is dead after a murder gave way to a hostage situation in Cobb County.

According to Cobb County police spokesperson Sara O'Hara, the crime scene was at a home off of Mableton Parkway and Lane Drive. That's where officers were sent after reports from a passerby that they heard gunshots. Police later learned that an elderly woman had been shot and killed in that gunfire.

Inside, the person accused of firing the fatal shot, later identified as 26-year-old James Edward Martin of Austell, then held a woman and child hostage as police arrived. SWAT teams managed to rescue both from the home but the suspect died - either by his own hand or an officer.

Debbie Rogers said she cant even fathom that the family's worst fear became a reality..

"You wouldn't think something like this would happen," she said.

She said Martin was allegedly dating the granddaughter on on Sunday, he allegedly made threats to the family.

"They even called the police last night around 3:30 to let them know just to be prepared in case something like this would happen," she said.

She said the woman who was killed was kindhearted and loving.

"That woman would have gave you the shirt off her back."

The Cobb County Police Department has since turned the investigation over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The state agency is now calling this an officer-involved shooting.

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