The second victim killed in last night’s shooting spree in north Habersham has been identified. Authorities have confirmed the victim was Steve Singleton. He was found shot to death outside the home of his girlfriend Kathy Smith in the Winding Stair subdivision off Hwy. 17. Singleton was allegedly killed by Smith’s ex-husband Anthony Giaquinta whose body was also found near the home around 11:30pm Sunday.
In a terrible twist, Singleton’s son, Easton, was killed in April of 2012 in a single car accident. Easton was a Junior at Habersham Central High School. Singleton was in the process of opening a new business in Habersham, Easton Transport. The Annual Battle of Heros held at Habersham Central was a project of The Easton Foundation, a charity set up in honor of his son.
In a post on his Facebook page this past New Year’s, Singleton referred to Smith’s ongoing domestic issues with her ex-husband:
“As I sit with a dear friend in fear for her life on this New Years night I can’t help but wonder how many women live like this. I have witnessed the harassment of calls, text messages, and personal threats myself. It’s unlike any thing I have ever witnessed. The sounds of fireworks cause her to jump and tremble with fear. Where as it should be a time of joy and happiness. It saddens me to think people do this to what they would call their best friend. With best friends like that I hope to never have one that resembles anything remotely close to that. Tonight as the threats are made we sit and wait, no sleep, no peace, just wait ready to protect an innocent human who doesn’t deserve this.
Singleton ended his post with this Bible verse:
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NIV)”
Steve Singleton was a member of The Torch Worship Center in Cornelia.