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BREAKING NEWS: Nine confirmed dead in Samson, Geneva shootings
Mar 10 2009 12:00AM By Staff Reports
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Nine people have been confirmed dead in a shooting spree that spanned southern Geneva County this afternoon. Several others have been reported wounded including Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey. The gunman is dead, apparently of a self-inflicted wound.
Law enforcement from throughout Geneva County and surrounding areas converged on Geneva after reports of multiple fatalities in Samson where the gunman reportedly killed several members of his own family.
Law enforcement are unsure of the motive at this time.
The shooter reportedly killed six individuals at a house in Samson off Hwy. 52, believed to be relatives of the shooter. He then killed a man walking on the sidewalk in downtown Samson and proceeded to the Big/Little Store where he opened fire for a third time killing a woman and injuring others. He then drove down Main Street in Samson a quarter of a mile until he reached the parking lot beside Bradley Tru-Value Hardware where he rolled down his window and pulled out an assault rifle, opening fire again.
The shooter then drove down Hwy. 52 East toward Geneva. Unconfirmed reports have him firing at vehicles between the two towns.
According to Geneva Mayor Wynnton Melton, the shooter was coming from Samson when investigator Ricky Morgan spotted him in front of Wal-mart. He was shooting out of his car towards the building when Morgan rammed the shooter's car with his pickup truck. The man shot at Morgan, just missing him.
At that time Geneva Police Chief Lindsey approached on his SUV and the suspect shot Lindsey through through his window, striking him in the shoulder. Lindsey drove to Wiregrass Hospital and was treated and released.
The shooter then fled down Hwy. 27 North where he stopped at Reliable Metal Products and was confronted by a conservation officer, Joel Hendren, and Geneva County Sheriff's Deputy Tony Helms. There was an exchange of gunfire and the suspect ran into the building where approximately 500 employees were working. The shooter then fatally shot himself.
The mayor did not speculate on what caused the shooter's actions.
The FBI, ABI, Covinginton County Sheriff's Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Houston County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies have been assisting in the investigation.
©Southeast Sun 2009
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