The GBI is assisting authorities in two northeast Georgia counties in the investigations of two deadly shootings that occurred hours apart Friday.
Christopher Charles Thomas, 32, was arrested in connection with the first one, a double shooting in Jackson County that led to the death of Joshua Alton Smith, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.
About 1:40 p.m., authorities learned Smith and Justin Taylor Lyle had been shot at a home in the 4500 block of South Apple Valley Road outside Jefferson. Smith, 27, of Commerce, and Lyle, 20, of Danielsville, were taken to a hospital, the Banner-Herald reported. Smith died of his injuries; Lyle’s condition was not released.
Investigators aren’t sure what led to the shooting but believe it started as a domestic dispute.
Thomas was arrested at his home, which is less than a half-mile from the scene, according to the Banner-Herald. He is charged with murder and remains in jail with no bond.
About five hours after the Jackson County shooting, Banks County deputies were called to a home in the 850 block of Ga. 323 in Gillsville. Authorities found 56-year-old business owner John Jeffery Turner dead from a gunshot wound, according to the newspaper.
While authorities have located the suspected shooter, charges have not been filed in the case.
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