Police are still investigating why a Chattooga County, Ga., man was shotgunned in the chest and killed.
Chattooga County Sheriff John Everett said William Robert Packer, 59, the victim’s neighbor and longtime friend, is in custody in connection with the shooting of 48-year-old James Kirby, but he hasn’t been charged.
“We’re waiting to gather facts of why it happened,” Everett said.
He said Packer should be charged by late today.
Everett said the shooting happened in Packer’s home on John Jones Road in Summerville, Ga. He said Packer called 911 about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived to find Kirby dead inside the home, the sheriff said. Packer was taken into custody, he said.
Animal control was called to take care of two pit bulls inside the house home before investigators could go to work, he said.
Police are unsure if the men were fighting before Kirby was shot, Everett said.
Chattooga County Coroner Earle Rainwater said Kirby’s body was taken to a medical examiner’s lab in Decatur, Ga., for an autopsy.
Funeral services will be held at the Willis Funeral Home in Dalton, Ga., he said.