An Alabama man shot a Georgia fire chief to death on Sunday for approaching his home.
James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, had stopped to help a couple who had struck a deer on County Road 267 in Chambers County Sunday afternoon.
Cauthen and the driver of the vehicle that hit the deer discovered they couldn’t get cell service to request help, prompting them to seek assistance from William Randall Franklin, 33, at his residence. Unexpectedly, Franklin began shooting at them.
The driver, who was armed, returned fire and struck Franklin, WRBL reported.
Upon the arrival of law enforcement officers, Cauthen was found deceased, while the other two individuals sustained injuries. They were airlifted to hospitals in Georgia and are anticipated to make full recoveries. The driver’s spouse stayed in the vehicle while her husband and Cauthen sought aid that was not provided.
Cauthen was a battalion chief at Coweta County Fire Rescue in Georgia, where he had served for 24 years, the department said.
Chambers County is directly on the Georgia stateline north of Columbus. Coweta County is a few miles from the state line.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office said Franklin will be charged with murder when he is released from the hospital.
