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Written by: A. Smith
Published September 30, 2025 @ 9:53 AM ET
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – A Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy killed in a domestic shooting over the weekend had previously filed for an order of protection against the man suspected of killing her and shooting her son, according to court records.
Master Deputy Tamara Tuitt-Bartlett requested a restraining order against Eric Sumner on April 29, citing threats of violence and stating her son was afraid of him, according to documents obtained from Forsyth County.
In the petition, Tuitt-Bartlett said she and Sumner lived together at a townhouse on Harlond Way. She described their relationship as “on-again, off-again” and said she had previously asked Sumner to leave “because his temperament goes from 0–100.”
Tuitt-Bartlett wrote that on April 28, she was arguing with Sumner when her son returned home from school. She said Sumner called her 15-year-old son with autism disparaging names.
“Jaden was such in fear that he called 911 without my knowledge,” she said. “Also, due to the fact that Eric Sumner (is) a convicted felon, he is not allowed to be around my duty weapon.”
The restraining order was granted, but Tuitt-Bartlett requested its removal on May 21, according to the documents. No explanation was attached to the request. Police have not said whether Tuitt-Bartlett and Sumner were living together at the time of the killing, though they referred to him as her boyfriend.
Sumner is accused of killing Tuitt-Bartlett on Saturday evening and shooting her teenage son multiple times.
The son escaped to a neighbor’s home, where the neighbor applied pressure to his wounds and called 911, saving his life, according to police.
When officers arrived, they found the deputy dead in her bedroom. Sumner had already left, officials said.
He was captured in Monroe County after a police chase on Interstate 75. Sumner was booked into the Forsyth County Jail and faces charges of murder, homicide, and two counts of aggravated assault.
Tuitt-Bartlett’s teenage son remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Sumner is scheduled to appear in a Forsyth County court on Tuesday.