Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012

SURRENCY, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities say the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is probing the weekend shooting death of an Iraq war veteran shot to death during a standoff with law enforcement officers in Appling County.

Appling County Sheriff Bennie DeLoach said neighbors of 31-year-old U.S. Marine James Dixon III called the sheriff's office early Sunday to report that someone had fired a shot through their house.

DeLoach said in a statement that Dixon came outside the house just before 9 a.m. armed with a shotgun.

Chief Deputy Lee J. Sweat Jr. tells the Florida Times-Union that Dixon refused orders to put down the weapon, and a SWAT team fired on him, hitting him twice.

Sweat said Dixon had served several tours in Iraq and had friends among Appling County sheriff's deputies.

(Copyright 2012, The Associated Press)