Carnesville, GA –  On Sunday, May 13, 2018, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer involved shooting.

Preliminary information from Franklin County authorities indicates that at approximately 10:00 p.m., Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on Roberts Lane.  

Deputies were directed to 585 Roberts Lane and when they arrived they located one person with a gunshot wound. Deputies learned other individuals were in the residence and were likely injured as well. It was determined that James Brian Kay, 54, of Martin, had shot multiple people with a shotgun.

During the incident, Kay came out of the house with a shotgun and fired in the direction of a marked patrol car. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy James Justice fired one round which struck Kay. Kay was pronounced dead at the scene.  

In total, three people were found shot at the residence, all with serious wounds.  The three were transported to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, SC.  An 11-year-old was also present at the time of the shooting, but hid inside the residence and was not shot.  

 An autopsy on Kay will be performed at the GBI Crime Lab in Decatur. The GBI will continue its independent investigation.  Once completed, the case will be submitted to the District Attorney of the Northern Judicial Circuit for review.

Mike Ayers – Special Agent in Charge | Athens | 706-552-2309