The Gist: A grim scene unfolded on Butterworth Road in Canton today, when one man was found shot dead in a driveway, while another, believed to be the shooter, was discovered injured nearby.
The Details: The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies were alerted to the shooting around 11:24 a.m Tuesday. The initial distress call reported a shooting. On reaching the location, the deputies found the lifeless body of a man in the driveway. Another injured man was found on the premises with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A firearm was found close to the injured individual, leading to the belief that he was the perpetrator. The injured party was alive, though in a critical condition, when he was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment of his severe injuries.
What’s Next?: The Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the names of the individuals involved in the incident. Investigations are ongoing, and more details are anticipated in the coming days.
👮♂️ Gun Crimes in Our Communities: Here are statistics from The Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit meticulously tracking gun incidents.
2023 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 39,135
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 18,874
- Gun-related injuries: 36,357
- Mass shootings: 656
2022 Statistics:
- Total gun-related incidents: 42,064
- Gun-related deaths (excluding suicides): 20,200
- Gun-related injuries: 38,500
- Mass shootings: 647
While firearm deaths and injuries saw a slight decline compared to previous years, mass shootings continued to rise, with 2023 surpassing 650 incidents. This underscores the continued severity of gun violence in the U.S.
To Be Clear: These aren’t just digits on a page. Each statistic represents a life affected, a community shaken.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
