GBI Investigates Shooting Incident in Wheeler County - UPDATE

UPDATE - April 27, 2020

The juvenile in this case has been charged with: Aggravated Assault (felony), Pointing gun at another (misdemeanor), Possession of a firearm during certain crimes (felony), and Theft by taking (felony), and is in the custody of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. 

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Alamo, Georgia (April 25, 2020) – On Saturday, April 25, 2020, the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Eastman GBI office assist with a shooting investigation.  At approximately 3:07 p.m., the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence located at 20 Ag Lane, Alamo, Wheeler County, Georgia in reference to an individual being shot.  Upon the deputies’ arrival, it was discovered that E.J. Bess suffered from a single gunshot wound to the upper chest area. The early investigation revealed that Bess returned to his residence to discover that his bedroom had been burglarized.  Two of his handguns were missing.  Bess located the two missing handguns in his juvenile nephew’s bedroom at the same residence.  A confrontation ensued when Bess confronted his juvenile nephew (age 16).  The juvenile shot Bess during the confrontation.  Bess was airlifted to Navicent Health in Macon where he is in stable condition. 

The juvenile is in custody and charges are expected.

The investigation is active and ongoing.  If anyone has any information regarding the investigation, please contact the Eastman GBI Office at 478-374-6988 or the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office at 912-568-7151.