CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. – In a shocking turn of events, a man has been extradited to Chambers County to face charges in the tragic shooting of a Georgia fire official. William Randall Franklin, 34, is accused of murdering Coweta County Fire Battalion Chief James “Bart” Cauthen, 55, and injuring another individual.
The incident occurred on January 19, when deputies responded to reports of gunfire along County Road 267 near US 431 in the Stroud community around 5 p.m. Initially dispatched to a traffic crash involving a deer, first responders discovered a far grimmer scene: three individuals, including Franklin, had sustained gunshot wounds.
According to investigators, Battalion Chief Cauthen was traveling along the rural road when he stopped to assist the driver involved in the deer collision. After struggling to find cell reception, the two men walked to a nearby house for help. There, Franklin, a resident of the area, allegedly opened fire on both men.
Authorities report that all three men were armed, and gunfire was exchanged. Tragically, Cauthen succumbed to his injuries at the scene before deputies could arrive. The driver of the vehicle was transported to a medical facility in LaGrange for treatment and has not been publicly identified.
Franklin, who was also injured in the exchange, was arrested and initially held in Muscogee County Jail. On Monday, he was extradited to Chambers County, where he now faces charges of murder and attempted murder. He is currently being held without bond at the Chambers County Detention Facility.
A funeral service honoring Chief Cauthen’s life and legacy will be held on Tuesday at Unity Baptist Church in Newnan, Georgia. Cauthen, a devoted first responder, is remembered as a compassionate and heroic figure who died in the line of duty while trying to help others.
This tragedy has left the community in mourning and raised questions about the circumstances leading to this senseless act of violence.
