Officials work the scene after a killing in Whitfield County.Whitfield County authorities say Christopher Eric Whitmore killed his estrange wife, Melissa Ball, and their son, Grayden Lee Whitmore, before taking his own life near Varnell, Ga., Thursday night.
The slayings happened at a Shell station/convenience store and McDonald's restaurant at 3898 Cleveland Highway about 7 p.m. Whitfield County Sheriff Scott Chitwood said.
The couple had previous domestic issues and was separated at the time of the incident, officials say.
Investigators say Ball pulled up to a gas pump at the Shell station in her 2013 Ford Focus and Christopher Whitmore drove up and parked directly behind her.
They exited their cars and walked to the rear passenger door of the 2010 Dodge that Christopher Whitmore was driving. Investigators said Christopher Whitmore pulled out a handgun and shot their son in the back seat.
Whitmore then shot Ball and then himself.
The investigation into the incident is continuing. Assisting the sheriff's office in the investigation are the Varnell Police Department, the Cohutta Police Department, the coroner's office, the District Attorney's Office and the Georgia State Patrol.