News 12 First at 5, November 12, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---What started as a call about domestic violence between a husband and wife turns into a deadly shooting with two Richmond County deputies. Now, the GBI is looking into the case and a woman who knew the man killed is talking to 12.

The situation turned deadly this morning in Harrisburg. A man threatening his estranged wife with a knife is shot and killed by deputies.

The sheriff's office says 41-year old Terry Ramsey showed up at the home drunk around 4 o'clock Thursday morning.

It all started with a 911 call from a scared 14-year old boy, minutes later it ended with his father being shot and killed.

The crime scene tape marks the home where a domestic call turned deadly early Thursday morning. "He called and said that his father was trying to stab his mother," says Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength, about the 911 call.

After hearing a woman yelling for help, deputies bust down the door to get inside. "Deputies saw a male and female sitting on a couch, the male subject was holding a knife to the females throat," describes Sheriff Strength.

Investigators say Terry Ramsey was drunk and threatening to kill his wife, Tameka, with their two children inside the home.

"The suspect was ordered to drop the knife, but refused both deputies fired at the suspect hitting him in the chest and side," says Sheriff Strength.

Veteran deputies Chadwick Plueger and Sylvester Rosier each fired at Ramsey. The sheriff is standing by his men. "They did not have to say drop that knife because somebody's life was in danger and without a doubt they took the action that they should have taken and that definitely would be protocol," says Sheriff Strength.

Friends and neighbors say they are stunned by the news and say it doesn't even sound like the Terry Ramsey they knew.

"He had a heart of gold and he was loved by many people and my heart goes out to his mother and his children and his wife," says friend Courtney Janes.

Ramsey was out on bond, accused of murdering a Martinez man last year at a home on Gordon Highway. Investigators say Ramsey got into an argument with the man, and shot at him nine times.

"He's not some criminal, he was a good person," says Janes.

Friends tell News 12 Ramsey had been suffering from cancer, and had been undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. As for the deputies, both of them have been placed on desk duty until the GBI wraps up their investigation.