Forsyth Deputy Shot at Courthouse; Suspect Killed

Update: 7 p.m.:

The veteran Forsyth County sheriff's deputy who first encountered the armed gunman Friday morning has been identified as Daniel Rush. Sheriff Duane Piper said Rush “saved several lives today,” when he confronted “sovereign citizen” Dennis Marx and prevented him from entering the courthouse an attempted armed takeover.

Rush was shot in the leg and suffered a broken fibula and tibia.

Early Friday evening, Piper’s office released this statement:

"The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other agencies will be continuing the investigation of the Courthouse shooter. All roads around the Courthouse and adjacent building will remain closed over night and in to the morning hours. Our prayers are with the deputy who was injured in the shooting. Please continue to give us your support. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers from the community."

The Forsyth County News says a lawsuit filed by Marx against the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office in federal court "may shed some insight into his rationale for targeting the criminal justice system."

Update: 1 p.m.:

The suspect in Friday's shooting has been identified as Dennis Marx of Cumming, who as a self-identified "sovereign citizen," is part of an anti-govenment group that "has been tied to violent attacks on law enforcement around the country," reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

A statement from Forsyth sheriff’s spokeswoman Karleen Chalker: 

“A shooting took place at the Forsyth County Courthouse in Cumming at approximately 9:57 a.m. today. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office continues to be on the scene with the assistance of the Ga. Bureau of Investigation. The area in the courthouse square has been secured. The roadways surrounding the courthouse continue to be closed. There is no estimation as to when roadways will be reopened.

“We want to make sure citizens know that the area has been secured at this time,” said Sheriff Piper. There should be no further danger to the public, added the Sheriff. Deputies are continuing to canvas the area around the courthouse for any possible explosives as a precaution."

Original Post

A 25-year veteran of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office exchanged gunfire with a man at the Forsyth County Courthouse on Friday morning.

The suspect, who reportedly attempted a frontal assault on the courthouse with some type of explosive, was shot and killed at the Forsyth County Administration Building on East Main Street. The sheriff’s deputy, who has not been identified, was reportedly shot in the leg.

As WSB TV reports, the alleged gunman “drove up armed with an assault rifle, bullet proof vest, smoke grenades and a gas mask,” before being shot by the deputy.

The gunman had a plea hearing scheduled next week before Superior Court Judge Jeffrey S. Bagley according to the Forsyth County News. 

The courthouse, Forsyth County Administration Building, Cumming City Hall and surrounding structures have been evacuated according to the news outlet as authorities are canvassing the area for any possible explosives.

This is a developing story and check back with Patch for updates.