Two people have been charged in connection with a shooting that left a man dead in the middle of a Georgia highway Sunday.

Wendell Scott, 38, and Cierra Bell, 26, both of Decatur, were arrested Sunday, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anna Lewis said.

Deputies were called to a location on Ga. 42 after someone was reportedly shot, Lewis said. When authorities arrived shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday, they found two wrecked vehicles and a man dead of a gunshot wound.

Monroe investigators identified the man killed as 35-year-old Michael High of Forsyth. He was the boyfriend of Bell, Lewis said.

Authorities said Bell had been gambling with Scott at a location in Oglethorpe and called High to pick her up. On the way back to Forsyth, the couple got into an argument, Lewis said.

Bell got out of the car and started walking, officials said. Moments later, Scott encountered her as he was driving back to Decatur. The man pulled over and offered Bell a ride, Lewis said.

While the two were talking, High reportedly rear-ended Scott’s car. High’s vehicle then went off the road and landed in a ditch.

High got out of the damaged car and walked up to Scott, at which point Scott shot him, Lewis said. It’s still unclear what prompted the shooting.

Scott faces one count each of felony murder, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, officials said Tuesday. Bell is also charged with tampering with evidence in addition to one count of making false statements.

Both remain held at the Monroe County Jail without bond, records show.

An investigation is ongoing.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Jo'wan Bellamy taught in the GNETS program for 17 years and recently transferred to Atlanta’s new behavioral program at Crawford Long Middle School. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com