Sheriff: Men ambushed, killed trying to sell item

WALTON COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities in Walton County said one person is custody and another is on the run after two men were found dead inside a car.

It happened around 4 p.m. Monday along Clegg Farm Road near Social Circle. Authorities initially believed it was a single-vehicle accident from the 911 call, but rescue crews soon made the grisly discovery.

“EMS and first responders arrived and both occupants of the vehicle were deceased,” Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman said.

Authorities said the victims traveled there to sell something, but instead were ambushed and shot several times. Investigators said a mangled pasture fence near the car is evidence of the violence that unfolded during the confrontation. The two victims, both men in their 20s, had been shot multiple times and crashed while trying to get away. Sheriff Chapman said investigators have uncovered a connection between the victims and the killers.

“The parties were acquainted with each other; it wasn't just a passerby situation or a random incident. There was some legwork put into the meeting,” said Sheriff Chapman.

Investigators said the victims were lured to Walton County after they advertised an item for sale online.

“The two deceased came from Meriwether County with an item to sell. They had advertised it on a social media, craigslist or something of that type, made contact with the people in that county and came to Walton County to make that transaction,” Chapman said.

Tuesday afternoon, the sheriff announced an arrest in the case. A juvenile, whose name has not been released, is in custody charged with two counts of murder and two counts of aggravated assault. The hunt is on for additional suspects. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Social Circle police are assisting in the investigation.

“These are victims in this case that didn't deserve what happened to them,” said Chief Tyrone Oliver of the Social Circle Police Department.

Authorities are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of others involved in the murders.