Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest In St. Marks Shooting Incident

The Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office arrested a suspect on Wednesday, Apr. 22 for allegedly shooting an individual at a home on St. Marks Road in Hogansville.
According to reports filed at the Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, Apr. 22 around 4:27 a.m., deputies with the Sheriff’s Office esponded to the 1200 block of St. Marks Road in Hogansville in reference to a call for service reporting a person being shot.
“Upon our patrol deputy’s arrival on the scene, he located a white male approximately 50 years of age in the garage area of the residence,” Sheriff Chuck Smith said.
“The male subject was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his leg. Our first deputy on the scene, Deputy Tyler Leverette, was able to apply a tourniquet to the victim’s leg to slow the bleeding as the victim was bleeding profusely. Meriwether County EMS arrived on the scene and took over medical treatment and then transported the victim to a location to be picked up by life flight.”
The male victim was flown to a Metro Atlanta trauma hospital for treatment of his injuries. The male subject was listed in critical condition as of Thursday, Apr. 23.
“Once our criminal investigators arrived at the scene, they began interviewing witnesses and obtaining search warrants for the residence,” Sheriff Smith said. “The GBI Crime Scene Unit was requested for crime scene processing. Our area GBI Agent also responded in a support capacity.
“Through the course of the investigation, our investigators were able to determine that the victim was a lawful resident at the home with other family members. At some point in the early morning, for reasons yet unknown, a female resident identified as Freedom Ladean McCormick, obtained a small caliber handgun and shot the male in the leg while in the garage area of the home.
“McCormick, a white female of 50 years of age, was transported to the Meriwether County Jail and has been charged with aggravated assault. She is being held without bond. Additional charges are pending and this investigation is still active and ongoing.
“I am grateful that Deputy Leverette was able to utilize his issued tourniquet to slow the bleeding from the victim’s leg wound. This life saving measure may turn out to be instrumental in this victim’s survival if all goes well.
“From what I am told it has provided the victim with the chance to survive due to the massive blood loss prior to our arrival.
“I appreciate our investigators and the GBI in their efforts to get the offender in custody in short order and make the determination of the shooter.
“I also want to thank the Newnan Police Department Criminal Investigator who assisted with interviews.
“Based on our initial investigation this is domestic related and the investigation is still active.”