STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. – At approximately 9 p.m. on the night of April 16, 2026, deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office responded to a physical domestic situation during which shots were allegedly fired at the 911 caller.

When units arrived at the residence on Sweetgum Road, deputies attempted to make contact with an armed suspect identified as Christopher Dean, 41 of Toccoa. Dean threatened to shoot at responding units if they did not leave the premises. Two females on scene were quickly escorted to safety while Dean barricaded himself inside the residence with a firearm.

Georgia State Patrol Troopers and the SCSO Special Response Team arrived on scene to assist. SCSO Command Staff requested the assistance of the GSP Crisis Intervention Team to aid in de-escalating the situation. Meanwhile, deputies obtained a warrant for Dean’s arrest and a search warrant for the residence.

At approximately 12:43 a.m., April 17, a GSP negotiator was able to make contact with Dean by phone. Dean requested something to eat and drink, which was provided to him on the condition that he would relinquish the firearm. Dean then surrendered two handguns. At approximately 2:28 a.m., Dean surrendered to law enforcement officers and was taken into custody. He was then transported to the Stephens County Jail without further incident.

Dean remains in jail for Aggravated Assault. Further charges may be pending.

Sheriff Rusty Fulbright extends his immense gratitude to GSP Post 7 Troopers and the Crisis Intervention Team for their assistance with this incident. Along with a secondary negotiator with the Sheriff’s Office, a secondary crisis intervention team with COATS, a division of HOPE for a Drug Free Stephens, was on standby to assist if needed.

“Success in a situation like this isn’t measured by force, but by the lives preserved through patience. Our goal is always a peaceful resolution by bringing a volatile situation to a calm end,” said Sheriff Rusty Fulbright. “Patience isn’t a delay; it’s our most powerful tool for protecting our community.”