Murder in Rabun County

A murder occured in Rabun County yesterday.

According to Investigator Gerald Johnson with the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a shooting at a residence on McCrackin Road just after 5 am yesterday morning and discovered the body of 21 year old James Eugene Close Jr. of Lakemont with an apparent gunshot wound.

The GBI assisted in the investigation, as did Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney Brian Rickman. Rabun county EMA Director Marty Dixon also assisted by providing protective structures from the inclement weather.

Johnson explained the results of their investigation,

“Investigators concluded the shooting was the results of an argument that had escalated between James Eugene Close Jr. and 38 year old Travis Melvin Groom of Clayton.”

Groom was transported to the Rabun County Detention Center without incident and charged with murder. He is being held without bond.