Calvin Varnum is remembered for his smile and laughter and the joy that he brought to his hometown of Commerce. He’s being mourned by that same community, left shaken by his sudden and senseless death.
The 72-year-old man with special needs was gunned down early Sunday. Police said the shooting happened around 7:30 a.m. outside the Hardee’s at 44 Homer Road in Commerce.
According to Commerce Police Chief Ken Harmon, Varnum was standing on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant when the suspected shooter drove up in a dark blue Dodge Journey.
Harmon told reporters the two had some sort of conversation before the suspect shot Varnum multiple times.
A good Samaritan resuscitated Varnum at the scene. EMS transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where he died a short time later from his injuries.
Varnum was a “very kind old gentleman who loved everyone and made sure to wave at them all every day.” – Skate-A-Rama Facebook
News of the shooting spread quickly through social media.
“I am heartbroken. I always look for him when I drive through. This was evil on a kind soul,” commented Christy Whitener.
Using surveillance footage from the crime scene, investigators with the Commerce Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) identified a person of interest in the murder. They issued a lookout for 23-year-old Xavier Clark of Commerce.
Late Sunday evening, police said Clark was only wanted for questioning and asked the public for any information that might help them locate him. Online jail records from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office showed he was arrested and booked for murder and felony theft by taking at 11:58 p.m. Sunday.
on Monday afternoon, Commerce police finally confirmed his arrest in a news release.
Chief Harmon says at 11 p.m. on May 21, Jackson County deputies received information about Clark’s location.
“Deputies located Clark traveling North on Hwy 441 in the area of Nicholson. Clark was stopped by Jackson County deputies and Commerce police officers while driving a blue Dodge Journey near the intersection of Highway 441 and Berea Road,” the release states.
The deputies arrested Clark during the traffic stop for an outstanding warrant unrelated to the murder investigation.
Clark has since been charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and two counts of cruelty to children in the second degree.
Commerce mourns a ‘gentle soul’
At 11 p.m. Sunday, the Skate-A-Rama skating rink in Commerce paused pledges to the reward fund it established to help find Varnum’s killer. Over $12,000 was raised in a matter of hours. The skating rink has now shifted its fundraising efforts to cover Varnum’s funeral expenses.
“We here at the rink are in total shock that this could happen to Mr. Calvin who was excitedly awaiting his upcoming birthday,” the business owners said on Facebook.
Anyone wishing to contribute to Varnum’s funeral expenses may donate online through the Skate-A-Rama website.
Dee Reed didn’t know Varnum personally but, like so many others, always looked forward to seeing his smile and cheerful wave on the way to work and the store.
Reed spoke on behalf of so many in the small Northeast Georgia community, saying, “The light that his gentle soul illuminated will forever have a cherished place in our hearts.”
The community held a vigil in Varnum’s memory Sunday outside the restaurant where he was shot. A crowd of people stood in his stead, waving at passing motorists.
Although Clark has been arrested, Varnum’s murder remains under investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Commerce Police Sgt. Adam King at (706) 335-1847 or [email protected].
Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-8477, online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
