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16-year-old in custody, accused of shooting uncle with his own gun

The GBI said charges are expected in the case.
The GBI said charges are expected in the case.
By
April 26, 2020

A 16-year-old is in custody after officials he stole his uncle’s handguns and used one of them to shoot him in the chest.

In a news release Sunday the GBI said charges are expected against the teen, who was not named.

The investigation unfolded at a home on Ag Lane in Alamo, the release said. Wheeler County sheriff’s deputies were sent to the home about 3 p.m. Saturday after a person was reportedly shot.

RELATED: Georgia toddler accidentally shoots, kills father

When deputies arrived, they found E.J. Bess suffering a single gunshot wound to the upper chest, officials said.

Investigators said Bess had returned to the home and found that his bedroom had been burglarized. Two of his handguns were missing, officials said.

RELATED: Georgia college student shoots, kills himself while removing magazine from gun

Bess found the handguns in his nephew’s bedroom in the same home and confronted the teen, the GBI said. At some point during the dispute, the 16-year-old fired at him.

Bess was airlifted to Navicent Health in Macon, where he is stable.

An investigation is ongoing.

In other news: 

Witnesses told officials the man had tried to rescue his dog when he fell into the water.

About the Author

Asia Simone Burns is a watchdog reporter for the AJC. Burns was formerly an intern in AJC’s newsroom and now writes about crime. She is a graduate of Samford University and has previously reported for NPR and WABE, Atlanta’s NPR member station.

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