Authorities in rural Alabama have announced that they will charge one man with murder after he allegedly shot and killed a Georgia Fire Chief who was trying to help a stranded driver on the road when he approached his house Sunday night.
WRBL reported that the driver hit a deer but was unable to call for assistance due to poor service on his cell phone. James Bartholomew Cauthen was working on a property that he owned or maintained when he saw the driver and his spouse stranded. WRBL reported that Cauthen, the driver, and a neighboring residence were looking for additional help.
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office reported that William Randall Franklin, who was allegedly standing outside the residence when Cauthen approached with the driver, opened fire at both men. Chambers County is the rural Alabama area where the shooting and traffic accident occurred.
According to the sheriff’s office, all three of the victims suffered gunshot injuries during the shootout. WRBL, citing the investigators, reported that the driver was armed and fired back, injuring Franklin. The sheriff reported that Cauthen was already dead when the deputies arrived on the scene. Both Franklin and the driver were taken to hospitals for treatment. WRBL reported that both men are expected to recover.
According to the sheriff, Franklin has been issued an arrest warrant for murder and will be arrested once he is released from the hospital.
Coweta County Fire Rescue expressed their “devastation” at the death of Cauthen who worked for the department for over 24 years.
“He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul,” the fire department said in a statement. “Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to Cauthen’s family, friends, and our brothers and sisters in the Fire Rescue family who worked closely with him.”
