Parris held without bond in Fannin County
The suspect in a McCaysville home invasion is now being held in the Fannin County Detention Center charged with attempted murder and the officer who shot him to end the hostage situation has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Charges of criminal attempt to commit malice murder, possession of a firearm/knife during commission of a crime, and home invasion have been added to the 11 felony charges taken out against James Larry Parris Jr., 51, the same day as the incident.
Parris was returned to Fannin County by McCaysville police officers Thursday, September 5, from WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he had been since the incident.
Immediately after hospital release papers were issued, warrants charging Parris were served by Cobb County sheriff’s deputies and he was turned over to McCaysville authorities.
Fannin County Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones denied bond for Parris during an initial appearance hearing Friday morning, September 6.
Parris is accused of forcing his way into the Barry Street apartment belonging to his ex-wife, Carrie Michelle Parris, shortly after 12 a.m. Friday, August 30. Inside the apartment were Carrie Parris, Larry Timothy Long and a 14-year old juvenile.
Parris, who was armed with a 20 gauge shotgun, is accused of firing at the occupants, striking Long in the arm.
Carrie Parris told a Fannin County 911 operator that the suspect said, “Nobody was going to leave there alive,” according to McCaysville Det. Capt. Billy Brackett.
Patrolman Bill Higdon was the first to arrive on the scene. Parris
threatened Higdon, telling him not to come into the apartment where he was holding the three occupants hostage.
Higdon requested assistance and McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley, Brackett and Patrolman Cory Collogan responded along with deputies from both Fannin and Polk County.
Parris continued to threaten the officers, according to a statement issued by the police department.
Earley, Brackett and Higdon negotiated with the suspect and their effort was initially successful with Parris agreeing to put down the shotgun. However, when officers entered the apartment, Parris picked up the shotgun and pointed it at officers. Earley fired at Parris, striking him and forcing him to drop the weapon, the statement said.
Parris was placed under arrest and then transported by Fannin County EMS to the LifeForce base just south of McCaysville and flown to the Marietta hospital. He had remained there under guard until his release.
The initial warrants, all of which are felonies, taken against Parris charged him with:
•cruelty to children, first degree;
•burglary, first degree;
•two counts, aggravated assault, family violence;
•aggravated assault, for acts against Long;
•three counts, aggravated assault, for acts against the three McCaysville police officers; and,
•three counts, false imprisonment.
All the warrants identify Parris’ address as 111 Queen Road, Epworth.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called to investigate the shooting of Parris. As required by McCaysville Police Department policy, Earley was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of their investigation.
Earley said Thursday he was cleared by the GBI investigation and has returned to duty.