Authorities in Georgia brought a tense, daylong search to an end after a specially trained bloodhound helped locate a man accused of shooting the mother of his child. The suspect, who allegedly fled into a wooded area while armed, triggered a large-scale response involving local deputies and a state K-9 unit. After roughly 10 hours of searching, law enforcement tracked him down and placed him under arrest without further incident.
Georgia Shooting Suspect Found After Lengthy Search
The search centered on Darian Berry Sr., 46, a convicted offender who was wanted in connection with an alleged domestic violence incident in Flovilla, Georgia, about 50 miles south of Atlanta.
According to the Butts County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Tuesday morning after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance involving Berry and the mother of his child.
Investigators allege Berry attempted to prevent the victim from leaving before the situation escalated. Authorities say he fled on foot as deputies arrived and was believed to be carrying a handgun, prompting an extensive search and a community-wide BOLO (“Be on the Lookout”) alert.
Bloodhound Helps End 10-Hour Manhunt
Law enforcement agencies spent nearly 10 hours searching for Berry before a bloodhound from the Georgia Department of Corrections K-9 Unit successfully tracked him through the area.
Officials credited the specially trained dog with helping bring the search to a safe conclusion, WGXA.tv reports.
In a statement, the Butts County Sheriff’s Office said, “He made the choice to run, but he could not outrun the determination of law enforcement or the incredible tracking ability of the bloodhounds that ultimately helped bring him into custody.”
Photos released after the arrest showed Berry in handcuffs surrounded by deputies, a K-9 handler, and the bloodhound that assisted in locating him.
Suspect Faces Long List of Criminal Charges
Following his arrest Tuesday evening, Berry was booked on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges tied to the incident.
Authorities said he now faces charges including aggravated assault, stalking, possession of a firearm by a convicted criminal, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, obstruction, battery, false imprisonment, family violence, and two counts of arson.
Investigators also allege Berry attempted to confine or restrict the victim during the domestic dispute before fleeing from responding deputies.
Officials have not publicly released additional information about the condition of the victim or disclosed further details surrounding the alleged shooting.
Investigation Continues Following Arrest
Although the manhunt has ended, investigators continue working to build the case against Berry as prosecutors review the allegations.
The incident temporarily placed the Flovilla community on high alert while authorities searched for the armed suspect, but officials confirmed the operation concluded once he was taken into custody.
The arrest marked the end of an intensive search effort that relied on coordination between local law enforcement and the Georgia Department of Corrections’ K-9 Unit, whose bloodhound ultimately located the suspect after hours of searching.
Georgia Continues to Face a Domestic Violence Crisis
Georgia continues to report alarming domestic violence figures despite ongoing prevention efforts. According to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence’s 2025 Annual Fact Sheet, law enforcement recorded 42,184 family violence incidents in 2024, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.
More than 35% of those cases resulted in arrests, while 70% of victims were women. Domestic violence agencies responded to over 110,000 crisis calls, yet many victims still struggled to access support services. The report also documented 163 domestic violence-related deaths in 2024, with firearms used in approximately 80% of the fatalities, reinforcing concerns about the deadly intersection of intimate partner violence and gun access.
