Officials work the scene after a killing in Whitfield County.Whitfield County, Ga., school officials this morning say counselors are on site at Beaverdale Elementary School in Whitfield County where second grader Grayden Lee Whitmore attended school until he was killed last night in a murder-suicide in Varnell, Ga.
Whitfield County authorities say 8-year-old Grayden and 27-year-old Melissa Ball were each shot dead by the boy’s father, 36-year-old Christopher Eric Whitmore, who turned the gun on himself afterward. All were from the Beaverdale area of Whitfield County.
Schools spokesman Eric Beavers said counselors are on hand today at the elementary school for anyone who needs to help dealing with the tragedy but no other activities are planned.
“We want it to be as normal a day as possible” as the school and community come to grips with the loss, Beavers said.
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 in a news release issued late on Thursday.