An Alabama man is facing murder charges for allegedly shooting dead a 24-year veteran fire chief from Georgia as he tried to seek help for a stranded couple.
James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, stopped to help the couple who had struck a deer on County Road 267 Sunday afternoon.
Cauthen and the driver of the vehicle decided to seek help from a resident after they failed to find cell coverage to call authorities in the “extremely rural” area.
As the two men approached 33-year-old William Randall Franklin’s home, he reportedly opened fire at them, fatally hitting the fire chief.
The driver returned fire striking Franklin. Both were found injured at the scene along with the deceased Cauthen.
Cauthen was a battalion chief at Coweta County Fire Rescue in Georgia and a 24-year veteran of the department. He was remembered as a hardworking man and a gentle soul.
Franklin’s family said he was mentally troubled and he reportedly appeared intoxicated at the time of the incident.
“Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy,” the fire department said.
