GBI Assisting in Fatal Ray City Shooting; Juvenile Charged With Murder *
By Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | 
RAY CITY, Ga. – Authorities are in the early stages of investigation into the death of a Ray City man. They continue to probe a fatal shooting that occurred Monday night near Ray City limits, where a 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with murder following the death of a local man identified by family members as Michael Paris (42) of Ray City.
According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), deputies responded to a call after dark on Monday, May 18, on Weaver Drive just outside of Ray City limits after reports of a shooting on the dirt roadway came to their attention.
Sheriff Ray Paulk said BCSO deputies arriving at the scene about 10:18 p.m. discovered a 42-year-old white male deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Austin Abrams, a 15-year-old juvenile male, was reportedly still on scene and was immediately detained by law enforcement.
Initially, family members told the Lanier County News that Michael Paris and the teen frequently walked the road together into Ray City to go to the store. Paris and Abrams, the teen, were neighbors. Another Weaver Road fellow citizen said that his family member passed the two on Weaver Road as he left that area about 8:30 p.m. or so on the night of the death.
Early in the inquiry, law enforcement officers were told that the two males had a disagreement and the teen brought out a gun and shot the older man as they were walking.
Discoloration on road may be where victim fell and died
Austin Abrams, the juvenile, has since been charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony. Authorities said the juvenile is currently being held at Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center. Since Abrams’ name has been released by GBI, it would appear that the teen has been certified as an adult.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed agents are assisting the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office with the active investigation.
The authorities have officially released the victim’s identity. Family members confirmed to the Lanier County News that the deceased was Michael Paris.
Family members said Paris’ body was transported through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy procedures in Macon before it is released to Music Funeral Home, Lakeland, for burial.
Information surrounding the events leading up to the shooting remains limited as investigators continue processing evidence and conducting interviews.
The shooting occurred during a busy week for the victim’s family, including two teenage children, who attend Lanier County High School and are involved with end of school year activities.
Authorities have not released additional information regarding a possible motive or the circumstances that led to the confrontation. They are continuing to investigate information which spans several months.
Location on Weaver Road where death occured
This is a developing story. The investigation remains actively ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office or the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Douglas at (912) 389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Alapaha District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.
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For our Spanish speakers / Para nuestros hablantes de español
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El GBI Asiste en Investigación de Tiroteo Fatal en Ray City; Menor Enfrenta Cargo de Asesinato
Por Carol A. Gasser Moore / * Inglés y español | Traducción asistida por inteligencia artificial (IA)
RAY CITY, Georgia — Las autoridades se encuentran en las primeras etapas de la investigación sobre la muerte de un hombre de Ray City. Continúan investigando un tiroteo fatal ocurrido la noche del lunes cerca de los límites de Ray City, donde un menor de 15 años ha sido acusado de asesinato tras la muerte de un hombre local identificado por familiares como Michael Paris (42), de Ray City.
Según la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Berrien (BCSO), los agentes respondieron a una llamada después del anochecer el lunes 18 de mayo en Weaver Drive, justo fuera de los límites de Ray City, tras recibir reportes de un tiroteo en un camino de tierra.
El sheriff Ray Paulk informó que los agentes del BCSO que llegaron a la escena en algún momento después de las 9 p.m. encontraron a un hombre blanco de 42 años fallecido debido a una aparente herida de bala. Un menor masculino de 15 años permanecía supuestamente en la escena y fue detenido de inmediato por las autoridades.
Inicialmente, familiares informaron al Lanier County News que Michael Paris y el adolescente caminaban frecuentemente juntos hacia Ray City para ir a la tienda. Paris y el adolescente eran vecinos. Otro ciudadano de Weaver Road dijo que un familiar suyo vio a ambos caminando por Weaver Road cuando salía del área alrededor de las 8:30 p.m. la noche de la muerte.
En las primeras etapas de la investigación, agentes del orden fueron informados de que ambos hombres tuvieron un desacuerdo y que el adolescente sacó un arma y disparó contra el hombre mayor mientras caminaban.
Discoloration on road may be where victim fell and died
Desde entonces, el menor ha sido acusado de Asesinato, Asalto Agravado y Posesión de un Arma de Fuego Durante la Comisión de un Delito Grave. Las autoridades informaron que actualmente se encuentra detenido en un Centro Regional de Detención Juvenil.
La Oficina de Investigaciones de Georgia (GBI) confirmó que agentes están asistiendo a la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Berrien en la investigación activa.
Aunque las autoridades no han divulgado oficialmente la identidad de la víctima, familiares confirmaron al Lanier County News que el fallecido era Michael Paris.
Familiares indicaron que el cuerpo de Paris fue transportado a través de la Oficina del Médico Forense del GBI para procedimientos de autopsia en Macon antes de ser entregado a Music Funeral Home en Lakeland para su sepelio.
La información sobre los acontecimientos que llevaron al tiroteo sigue siendo limitada mientras los investigadores continúan procesando evidencia y realizando entrevistas.
El tiroteo ocurrió durante una semana ocupada para la familia de la víctima, incluyendo dos hijos adolescentes que asisten a Lanier County High School y participan en actividades de fin de año escolar.
Las autoridades no han divulgado información adicional sobre un posible motivo o las circunstancias que llevaron al enfrentamiento. Continúan investigando información relacionada con hechos ocurridos durante varios meses.
Location on Weaver Road where death occured
Esta es una noticia en desarrollo. La investigación continúa activa. Cualquier persona con información debe comunicarse con la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Berrien o con la Oficina de Investigaciones de Georgia.
