CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. — A fire battalion chief died after an Alabama man shot him while he was trying to help a driver who hit a deer.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
James Bartholomew Cauthen, 54, served as a battalion fire chief at Coweta County Fire Rescue in Georgia, according to our sister station WSB-TV.
“He was an amazing, hard-working man with a gentle soul,” the department said. “Just like many of you, we have many questions as we navigate through this horrible tragedy.”
TRENDING STORIES:
- STAY INFORMED: Schools announce closures, delays due to dangerous cold
- WATCH: Students, fans break into stadium after Ohio State wins national championship
- UPDATE: 1 dead, 2 rescued after fire destroys Dayton home
The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened Sunday night on County Road 267 near U.S. 431.
Deputies responded initially to a call about a driver hitting a deer.
The sheriff’s office said a man who lived in the area, William Randall Franklin, shot at Cauthen and the person who hit the deer.
Franklin, Cauthen, and the driver were all hurt in a shootout.
Cauthen died from his injuries before deputies arrived on the scene.
Deputies said they will arrest Franklin for murder once he is released from the hospital.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
