Funerals for Three Habersham Shooting Victims Set for This Weekend

Funeral services have been set for this weekend for the three victims in last Sunday night’s shooting in Habersham County.

Meantime, more information has now been released regarding the shooting that left Habersham Sheriff Joey Terrell and another deputy wounded.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the shooter, 41-year-old Anthony Giaquinta died as the result of return fire by a Habersham County Sheriff’s deputy after Gianquinta shot the Sheriff and Deputy Bill Zigan.

It all took place about 7p Sunday night in a subdivision off SR17 outside of Clarkesville.

According to GBI Agent in Charge Rusty Andrews, Habersham County 911 received a call stating that there was a domestic dispute going on at the residence and that gun shots were being fired.

Andrews said when officers began to responded to the Clarkesville home, they encountered a black Crown Victoria, which sped towards them, swerved off the roadway and then spun out in a yard.

A white male, later identified as suspect Anthony Giaquinta, got out of the car and ran into the woods.

When Terrell, deputy Zigan and another unidentified deputy went to Gianquinta’s ex-wife’s home, where they found 40-yea rold Kathy Gianquinta Smith dead in the garage.

Another man, now identified as 45-year-old Steven Thomas Singleton of Flowery Branch, was also found dead outside the home, in a side yard and authorities believe Giaquinta shot him multiple times.

Andrews said they also did not know how Singleton was acquainted with Smith.

Terrell and Zigan were ambushed by Gianquinta inside Smith’s home and were wounded. They and third deputy were able to return fire.

Gianquinta was later found dead behind a house.  Andrews said Gianquinta died as a result of the return fire by the third deputy.
Andrews said there was no indication Gianquinta died of a self-inflicted gunshot.