A well-regarded Alabama fireplace chief who stopped to assist a driver that hit a deer was killed when a house owner opened fireplace on the pair Sunday evening, in line with authorities.
Coweta County Fireplace Battalion Chief James Bartholomew Cauthen and the driving force concerned within the accident had been strolling up a driveway close to County Street 276 in Chambers County round 5 p.m. on the lookout for assist when William Randall Franklin started to allegedly shoot on the pair with out warning, authorities advised WRBL on Monday.
Cauthen, 54, and the driving force had been each hit by gunfire, with the fireplace chief pronounced useless on the scene, the Chambers County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned in a information launch.
The motive force was wounded and is predicted to outlive.
The alleged gunman, 33, was additionally injured in what police described as a shootout after the driving force, who was armed, returned fireplace, Chambers County Chief Deputy Mike Parrish advised WRBL.
The 2 victims didn’t have cell service, which reportedly led them to strategy Franklin’s dwelling.
Cauthen solely caught wind of the deer crash as a result of he was tending to property he both owned or took care of close by, in line with authorities.
“Coweta County Fireplace Rescue continues to be devastated by the tragic passing of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen,” the fallen chief’s division mentioned in a press release on Monday.
“Cauthen has been with our division for greater than 24 years. He was an incredible, hard-working man with a delicate soul.”
Franklin is predicted to recuperate from his wounds and can then be charged with homicide, the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
The spouse of the driving force additionally concerned within the deer crash by no means left the automobile and was not injured.
The sheriff’s workplace mentioned the deputy that first arrived on the scene was left shaken by the bloody path.
“This was an distinctive name that no person might have been ready for,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned on Fb.
“Our first deputy on the scene thought he was pulling up on a easy deer wreck. As an alternative, he discovered 3 people with gunshot wounds. Nothing might’ve ready him for that.”
Allegations surrounding the deadly gun violence in Alabama are paying homage to the upstate New York home-owner who opened fireplace on a automobile that accidently drove up his driveway in 2023, killing 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis.
The shooter in that case, Kevin Monahan, was sentenced to 25 years to life final 12 months after he was convicted at trial.
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