Topline: Investigators say the suspect allegedly walked outside his home and began shooting at the fire chief and the motorist without warning.
Published: January 22, 2025 9:00 am ET
Must Read
James Bartholomew "Bart" Cauthen
CHAMBERS COUNTY, AL — Police say a fire chief was gunned down while assisting a couple who had struck a deer in Alabama.
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to County Road 267, in Chambers County, Alabama, in reference to a traffic accident involving a deer around 5:00 p.m. on January 19.
Upon arrival, deputies found three individuals with gunshot wounds. One individual was deceased. The other two individuals were transported by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers, police said.
Investigators worked to piece together the events that led to this “horrific scene.”
The deceased victim was identified as James Bartholomew “Bart” Cauthen, 54, who was a Battalion Fire Chief with Coweta County Fire.
Early investigation indicated that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist individuals that had struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267. Another individual who resided in the area, identified as William Randall Franklin, opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individual that struck the deer, according to police.
Investigators told WRBL Franklin, 33, allegedly opened fire on Cauthen and the driver without warning as they approached Franklin’s home to seek help.
Authorities said Cauthen had been on nearby property he owned or maintained, spreading hay for cattle, when he noticed a vehicle had struck a deer. While leaving his property, he stopped to help the driver and the driver’s wife. Cauthen and the driver were unable to call for help due to poor cell phone service and walked to the nearby home to ask for assistance.
When Cauthen and the driver approached the driveway, police say Franklin allegedly walked outside of his home and began shooting at the men without warning. Both men were struck. The driver was reportedly armed and returned fire, wounding Franklin. Cauthen tried to cross the street, but collapsed in a ditch and died before deputies arrived, WRBL reported.
The driver was injured, but is expected to recover. The driver’s wife never left the car and was uninjured during the shootout, accoding to WRBL.
Arrest warrants for Murder were issued for William Randall Franklin, and authorities indicated he would be arrested upon release from Piedmont Medical Center.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss,” Chambers County Sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Cauthen had been with Coweta County Fire Rescue for more than 24 years.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Fire Chief Gunned Down While Assisting Motorist Who Struck Deer in Alabama
Investigators say the suspect allegedly walked outside his home and began shooting at the fire chief and the motorist without warning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 22, 2025 9:00 am ET
James Bartholomew "Bart" Cauthen
CHAMBERS COUNTY, AL — Police say a fire chief was gunned down while assisting a couple who had struck a deer in Alabama.
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to County Road 267, in Chambers County, Alabama, in reference to a traffic accident involving a deer around 5:00 p.m. on January 19.
Upon arrival, deputies found three individuals with gunshot wounds. One individual was deceased. The other two individuals were transported by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers, police said.
Investigators worked to piece together the events that led to this “horrific scene.”
The deceased victim was identified as James Bartholomew “Bart” Cauthen, 54, who was a Battalion Fire Chief with Coweta County Fire.
Early investigation indicated that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist individuals that had struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267. Another individual who resided in the area, identified as William Randall Franklin, opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individual that struck the deer, according to police.
Investigators told WRBL Franklin, 33, allegedly opened fire on Cauthen and the driver without warning as they approached Franklin’s home to seek help.
Authorities said Cauthen had been on nearby property he owned or maintained, spreading hay for cattle, when he noticed a vehicle had struck a deer. While leaving his property, he stopped to help the driver and the driver’s wife. Cauthen and the driver were unable to call for help due to poor cell phone service and walked to the nearby home to ask for assistance.
When Cauthen and the driver approached the driveway, police say Franklin allegedly walked outside of his home and began shooting at the men without warning. Both men were struck. The driver was reportedly armed and returned fire, wounding Franklin. Cauthen tried to cross the street, but collapsed in a ditch and died before deputies arrived, WRBL reported.
The driver was injured, but is expected to recover. The driver’s wife never left the car and was uninjured during the shootout, accoding to WRBL.
Arrest warrants for Murder were issued for William Randall Franklin, and authorities indicated he would be arrested upon release from Piedmont Medical Center.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss,” Chambers County Sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Cauthen had been with Coweta County Fire Rescue for more than 24 years.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Fire Chief Gunned Down While Assisting Motorist Who Struck Deer in Alabama
Investigators say the suspect allegedly walked outside his home and began shooting at the fire chief and the motorist without warning.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 22, 2025 9:00 am ET
James Bartholomew "Bart" Cauthen
CHAMBERS COUNTY, AL — Police say a fire chief was gunned down while assisting a couple who had struck a deer in Alabama.
According to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to County Road 267, in Chambers County, Alabama, in reference to a traffic accident involving a deer around 5:00 p.m. on January 19.
Upon arrival, deputies found three individuals with gunshot wounds. One individual was deceased. The other two individuals were transported by helicopter to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers, police said.
Investigators worked to piece together the events that led to this “horrific scene.”
The deceased victim was identified as James Bartholomew “Bart” Cauthen, 54, who was a Battalion Fire Chief with Coweta County Fire.
Early investigation indicated that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist individuals that had struck a deer while traveling on County Road 267. Another individual who resided in the area, identified as William Randall Franklin, opened fire on Chief Cauthen and the individual that struck the deer, according to police.
Investigators told WRBL Franklin, 33, allegedly opened fire on Cauthen and the driver without warning as they approached Franklin’s home to seek help.
Authorities said Cauthen had been on nearby property he owned or maintained, spreading hay for cattle, when he noticed a vehicle had struck a deer. While leaving his property, he stopped to help the driver and the driver’s wife. Cauthen and the driver were unable to call for help due to poor cell phone service and walked to the nearby home to ask for assistance.
When Cauthen and the driver approached the driveway, police say Franklin allegedly walked outside of his home and began shooting at the men without warning. Both men were struck. The driver was reportedly armed and returned fire, wounding Franklin. Cauthen tried to cross the street, but collapsed in a ditch and died before deputies arrived, WRBL reported.
The driver was injured, but is expected to recover. The driver’s wife never left the car and was uninjured during the shootout, accoding to WRBL.
Arrest warrants for Murder were issued for William Randall Franklin, and authorities indicated he would be arrested upon release from Piedmont Medical Center.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to Coweta County for his loss,” Chambers County Sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Cauthen had been with Coweta County Fire Rescue for more than 24 years.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
