Authorities investigating apparent murder-suicide

DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Three people are dead and two others injured in what Lumpkin County authorities believe is a murder suicide that took place at 72 Bryn Lane in Dahlonega this morning.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said deputies responded to a “shots fired” call at approximately 8:30 a.m.  Upon entering the home, they discovered two victims had been shot. While they were clearing the house, they heard three more shots downstairs where they discovered the body of a man and his wife.

Jarrard said the incident stemmed from a domestic incident in Florida.

“It appears something happened in Florida that caused the wife to flee to her sister’s home here in Dahlonega in an attempt to hide,” Jarrard said. “Unfortunately, the suspect found them.”

Jarrard said a 16-year-old girl was shot and transported to an Atlanta-area hospital. “Her injuries appear to be survivable,” he said.  A 13-year-old and a 2-year-old were also injured but their injuries are not considered to be life threatening.

Jarrard said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to take the lead in the investigation, aided by the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Jarrard said it  is unknown how the suspect traveled to Dahlonega and that authorities are on the lookout for a gold- or champagne-colored Ford Explorer SUV, driven by a white female wearing aviator-style sunglasses.”

Authorities have not released the victims’ identities.