Crime
Triple Homicide Suspect 56-year-old Shannon Box is in custody
UPDATE: Shannon Box is in custody.
Authorities in Wilkes County, Georgia, have launched a manhunt for a suspect connected to a triple homicide in Tignall.
The suspect, identified as 56-year-old Shannon Box, remains at large, prompting law enforcement to issue a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alert.
Box is described as a white male standing 5’10” tall and weighing 174 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes. While authorities do not have a confirmed description of his current clothing, they believe he may be traveling in a 2002 GMC Sierra pickup truck bearing Georgia license plate number YXA119.
Although his exact destination is unclear, investigators suspect he could be heading toward West Virginia.
Law enforcement agencies in neighboring states have been notified and are coordinating efforts to locate the suspect.
The public is urged to exercise extreme caution. Shannon Box is considered dangerous, and anyone who sees him or the vehicle should avoid approaching and immediately call 911 to report their observations.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have not released additional details regarding the motive or the victims of the homicide. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow updates from local law enforcement.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.