GBI waiting to talk to 11-year-old survivor of apparent family murder-suicide

An 11-year-old girl who escaped a murder-suicide of her family in Blakely has not yet been interviewed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a GBI spokesman said Monday.

The GBI was scheduled to talk to her July 19, but the girl was not in shape emotionally to discuss the July 16 incident, GBI agent Mark Pro said.

No new date has been set.

Funeral services for the girl's father, mother and brother took place July 21.

Matthew Lowell Justice, 37, shot his wife, 36-year-old Amy Lynn Justice, and their two children, said Pro, assistant special agent in charge with the GBI.

Matthew Lowell Justice died from his wounds at the scene of the shooting, which took place in the family's Early County home, north of Blakely, Capt. Will Caudill with the sheriff's office said. Amy Lynn Justice was transported to Early Memorial Hospital in Blakely, where she died, Caudill said.

The couple's 14-year-old son was taken to a Dothan, Ala., hospital, Caudill said. He died the next day, Pro with the GBI said.

The 11-year-old girl was treated and released from a local hospital, he said.

GBI said details of how the tragedy unfolded are unclear, but they were hoping an interview with the 11-year-old daughter would reveal more details.

According to Pro, Matthew Justice used both a handgun and rifle in the shootings. Pro said the daughter was wounded but was able to flee to a neighbor's house, where a 911 call was placed.

Matthew Justice had no previous  record of domestic violence, the Dothan (Ala.) Eagle reported.

Matthew and Amy Lynn Justice were teachers in Early County's public school system, according to WALB, an NBC television affiliate in Albany. The family was well known in the Blakely area, WALB said.

The couple filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2004 in the middle district of Georgia.

Amy Justice was a 4th Grade Gifted teacher, according to her Facebook page. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 1996 and Tift County High School in 1991.

The call to 911 was placed just before midnight, Caudill said.

The GBI is assisting the sheriff's office with the investigation.

Return to ajc.com for updates.

--Staff writer Chelsea Cook contributed to this report.