A gunman shot five people to death in rural Georgia Friday night at two crime scenes that authorities believe to be related to a domestic incident.
The suspect was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Four people were declared dead at two nearby homes in Appling, Georgia, about 130 miles east of Atlanta. A fifth victim died being transported to the hospital, said Capt. Andy Shedd of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
After a manhunt that lasted into early Saturday, suspect Wayne Hawes, 50, was found dead at his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The house had been set on fire and deputies suspect Hawes started it, WRDW reported.
The shootings happened at two homes on Johnson Drive Friday evening, WRDW reported.
Law enforcement investigators believe the the killings occurred after Hawesdiscovered that his wife was divorcing him, a spokesperson with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Coroner Vernon Collins identified the victims as Roosevelt Burns, 75; Rheba Mae Dent, 85; Kelia Clark, 31; Lizzy Williams, 59; Shelly Williams, 62. It was not clear what relation they were to Hawes.
Hawes’ daughter, Lauren, told The Associated Press that her father was a “ticking time bomb” and said he had made threats before.
Her grandmother and cousin were among the victims.
In another mass shooting earlier on Friday, eight members of a family in Ohio were shot dead.
CORRECTION: An earlier version incorrectly described the location of Appling. It is east of Atlanta, not west. This story has also been updated to reflect new developments, including the death of the suspect, nature of the incident, and victims’ identities.
The suspect was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Four people were declared dead at two nearby homes in Appling, Georgia, about 130 miles east of Atlanta. A fifth victim died being transported to the hospital, said Capt. Andy Shedd of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
After a manhunt that lasted into early Saturday, suspect Wayne Hawes, 50, was found dead at his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The house had been set on fire and deputies suspect Hawes started it, WRDW reported.
The shootings happened at two homes on Johnson Drive Friday evening, WRDW reported.
Law enforcement investigators believe the the killings occurred after Hawesdiscovered that his wife was divorcing him, a spokesperson with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said.
Coroner Vernon Collins identified the victims as Roosevelt Burns, 75; Rheba Mae Dent, 85; Kelia Clark, 31; Lizzy Williams, 59; Shelly Williams, 62. It was not clear what relation they were to Hawes.
Hawes’ daughter, Lauren, told The Associated Press that her father was a “ticking time bomb” and said he had made threats before.
Her grandmother and cousin were among the victims.
In another mass shooting earlier on Friday, eight members of a family in Ohio were shot dead.
CORRECTION: An earlier version incorrectly described the location of Appling. It is east of Atlanta, not west. This story has also been updated to reflect new developments, including the death of the suspect, nature of the incident, and victims’ identities.
