Manhunt Closes Chapter On Murder/Suicide

"COLUMBUS, GA — For local authorities delivering a warrant to a north Columbus home, their day was entirely dedicated to a manhunt that lasted nearly nine hours.

"They were hunting for Richard F. `Richie` Dodelin, the son of a prominent Columbus DUI attorney, who fled into the woods in north Columbus after firing at police officers who’d come to arrest him for the homicide of William Hugh Bullard II, investigators said.

"Dodelin, also an attorney, again fired at officers Tuesday afternoon before turning the gun on himself, police said.

"The manhunt that ended in his suicide started around 7 a.m. at Dodelin’s Hubbard Road home, a ranch-style house police cautiously approached with search and arrest warrants charging him in connection with Bullard’s shooting death Monday night.

"Shortly before midnight, police responded to 84 Lumber Company, 8484 Fortson Road, where they found Bullard, 42.

"`When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the lifeless body of a white male lying on the pavement in front of the gate,` reports state.

"Bullard was shot once in the head and possibly in the back with a pistol, the report stated.

"EMTs were unable to revive Bullard, who was pronounced dead at 12:05 a.m."

Source: Ledger-Enquirer...