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The family of the two victims tragically killed inside their home in Blackshear is speaking out about the profound impact the event has had on their lives.
BLACKSHEAR, Ga. — As the investigation continues into the deadly shooting that shattered a quiet neighborhood on October 25, the daughter and sister of the victims are opening up about how their lives have drastically changed since that fateful day.
Authorities in Pierce County have apprehended 30-year-old Avery Courson, charging him with the murder of 64-year-old Virgil Chaney and his son, 37-year-old Christopher Chaney.
“Our town is small and close-knit. Incidents like these are extremely uncommon here,” explained Jacob Winters, the chief investigator for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
The tragic incident was brought to light when deputies received a call at around 10 a.m., reporting the shooting near Highway 121 South in the southern part of the county.
“It’s a terrible scene, one of the worst I’ve ever been to,” said Winters.
The daughter of Virgil, sister of Christopher, gave First Coast News a statement, “My dad and brother would literally give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. They were good men with good hearts. They loved their family, they loved their friends, and my dad would and did do everything to protect his, including losing his own life.”
The deputies caught the suspect a little over an hour after the 911 call.
Winters said it’s not Courson’s first run-in with the law. “He’s had some other charges in the past, some drug charges…some thefts,” added Winters.
Winters said they found Courson at a nearby store buying energy drinks.
The daughter said she was happy he was caught so quickly, but said the family did not know the suspect.
She said her dad made a living repairing sewing machines and growing his own food with his wife.
She said her brother loved animals, helping and rescuing them. She mentioned how he always had a dog by his side.
The daughter notes that the family has been struggling to adjust to their new reality. “I wish this was all a bad dream, and I could just wake up and have a chance to redo so many moments with them and get so many more.”
Winters said they’re still tracking down leads.
