Fire Chief Killing in Stunning Shooting Incident

Fire Chief Killing in Stunning Shooting Incident

A Georgia fire chief, James Bartholomew Cauthen, was killed in a shooting after stopping to aid a motorist in Alabama.

Quick Takes

  • James Bartholomew Cauthen, a Coweta County Fire battalion chief, was fatally shot while aiding a motorist.
  • The incident occurred near County Road 276 in Chambers County, Alabama, close to the Georgia border.
  • The alleged shooter, William Randall Franklin, was arrested on murder charges after also being injured.
  • The motive behind the tragic shooting is still unclear, leaving the community in shock.

Details of the Shooting Incident

James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, was traveling in Alabama when he stopped to assist a driver who had struck a deer. As they walked to a nearby residence seeking help, the homeowner, William Randall Franklin, allegedly opened fire without warning, resulting in Cauthen’s death.

When deputies arrived, they found all three men involved with gunshot wounds. Cauthen, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The motorist sustained injuries but is expected to recover.

Community and Official Response

The professional and personal communities surrounding Cauthen have expressed their profound devastation at his passing. Coweta County Fire Rescue released a statement on how the department remains deeply affected by the loss of their colleague of more than 24 years, who was an incredible, dedicated individual.

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office noted the unusual nature of the situation, stating it was an exceptional call that nobody could have been prepared for. This tragic attack has left a neighboring community grieving for one of Georgia’s finest public servants.

Investigation and Legal Actions

William Randall Franklin, the individual accused of shooting Cauthen and the driver, has been arrested and is pending extradition. Despite being injured in the exchange, Franklin is expected to face murder charges. The motive for this bizarre and violent encounter remains unknown, as investigations proceed in seeking clarity on the circumstances leading to the events that transpired that day.

“A deer wreck…you pull up and three people are shot – it just don’t make sense any way you look at it,” Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish said. “We just really didn’t know what happened. It was just bizarre.”

Sources

  1. A Georgia fire chief stopped to help a driver who hit a deer. He was then shot and killed.
  2. Georgia fire chief fatally shot in Alabama while helping driver who hit deer
  3. Fire Chief Is Fatally Shot After Stopping to Help Driver Who Struck Deer