Chambers County, Alabama – The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a triple shooting on Sunday evening.

According to a CCSO statement, deputies responded to County Road 267 around 5 p.m. on January 19 in the Stroud community for a report of a traffic accident involving a deer.

At the scene, deputies reportedly found three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Authorities confirm that one individual was deceased.

The remaining two victims were transported to LaGrange and Columbus trauma centers. Investigators say they are working to piece together the events that led up to this “horrific scene”.

CCSO asks anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 334-864-4333.

Update – The Chambers County Sheriff’s Office has identified the deceased victim as 54-year-old James Bartholomew Cauthen. CCSO says Cauthen was a Battalion Fire Chief with Coweta County Fire.

Authorities believe that Chief Cauthen was attempting to assist an individual who had struck a deer when William Randall Franklin, who resided in the area, allegedly opened fire on them.

CCSO says all individuals were injured during the shootout. Chief Cauthen succumbed to his injuries before deputies reached the scene. Arrest warrants for Murder have been issued for Franklin who will be arrested following his release from Piedmont Medical Center.