CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. — The Georgia community is mourning after a Coweta County firefighter was shot and killed while trying to help a motorist who struck a deer in the road in Alabama on Sunday.
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a crash on County Road 267 near U.S. 431 in Stroud around 5 p.m. Deputies found three people with gunshot wounds upon arrival.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office says 54-year-old Georgia native James Bartholomew Cauthen died from his injuries. Cauthen served as the Battalion Fire Chief for the Coweta County Fire Rescue.
Investigators say Chief Cauthen was trying to help individuals who struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267 when a nearby resident “opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individual that struck the deer.”
The resident who killed Chief Cauthen and injured the motorist was identified by authorities as William Franklin.
Franklin and the motorist who hit the deer were med-flighted to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers.
“Tonight, Coweta Fire Rescue is devastated to hear of the loss of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen. We lost one of our brothers, leaders, mentor, and family to a senseless tragedy,” the Coweta County Fire Rescue said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cauthen family as they go through this difficult time. We asked that you keep this family in your hearts and prayers.”
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for Franklin and said he will be arrested and charged with murder after being released from Piedmont Medical Center.