A man will be charged with murder, according to the authorities in rural Alabama, for allegedly shooting and murdering a Georgia fire chief who approached his home on Sunday night while attempting to rescue a driver who was stuck in the road.
As a result of poor cell phone service, the driver was unable to call for assistance after hitting a deer, according to WRBL.
According to the station, James Bartholomew Cauthen, a fire chief with Coweta County Fire in Georgia, was working outside on a nearby property, which he probably owned or maintained, when he observed the stranded motorist and his wife. John Cauthen is 54 years old currently.
Cauthen and the driver made the decision to approach another property in the neighborhood in order to obtain extra backup.
While Cauthen and the driver were approaching the residence, William Randall Franklin allegedly stepped outside and opened fire on both of them, according to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office.
The remote Alabama region where the shooting and the traffic accident took occurred is located within Chambers County.
According to the information provided by the sheriff’s office, all three individuals sustained injuries as a result of gunshots that occurred during the shootout.
It was reported that the driver was armed and returned fire, which resulted in Franklin sustaining injuries, according to detectives who were involved in the investigation being investigated.
In accordance with the sheriff’s statement, Cauthen had already departed away as a consequence of the injuries he sustained by the time the deputies arrived at the site.
It is hoped that both the driver and Franklin would make a full recovery from their injuries. Both were transported to their respective medical facilities for care that they received.
Southern California in Peril as Dangerous Winds and Critical Fire Conditions Continue
Franklin, who was hospitalized and would be put into prison once he was discharged, was taken into custody on Monday, according to the sheriff, who added that warrants for his arrest for murder had been filed. Franklin was taken into custody for all of the crimes he committed.
Oregon Tribes and 34 Organizations to Benefit from $23 Million in Home Repair Grants
It was said by Coweta County Fire Rescue that they were “devastated by the tragic passing” of Cauthen, who had been employed by the service for more than 24 years.
“He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul,” the fire department stated in a statement . “Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthen’s family, friends and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him.”
