A father and son were fatally shot Saturday morning, October 25, in the St. Johns Community off Georgia Highway 121 South. A suspect is in custody and has been charged with the murders.
Sheriff Ramsey Bennett said Pierce County 911 received a call at 10:02 a.m. Saturday morning.
Virgil Lester Chaney, 64, and Christopher Levi Chaney, 37, died of wounds they received in the shooting.
As a result of the investigation, deputies made an arrest at 11:19 a.m. at the Circle K near the courthouse.
Avery James Courson, 30, of Blackshear was taken into custody without incident. Courson has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. Courson is being held in the Pierce County Jail. The pair of murder charges are a legal designation required for the court system.
V. Chaney
C. Chaney
A motive for the murders has not been made public.
Meanwhile, the Chaney family has been left to cope with the sudden, violent deaths of two family members.
Both men are described as good neighbors who “would give you the shirt off their backs” to help those in need.
Arrangements for Virgil Chaney and Christopher Chaney are pending and will be with Hart Funeral Home.
Courson
