Teen killed, second man critically injured in shooting

A Gainesville teenager was killed and a Gainesville man was critically injured when an argument at a location off Roy Parks Road escalated into gunfire Wednesday night.

Just after 9 p.m., deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) were dispatched to a residence in the 3000 block of Southchase Drive to investigate a report of an argument involving gunshots. When they arrived at the scene, deputies found one person dead and another wounded outside of a shed on the property.

The deceased was identified as Paul Statham, Jr., 17. He had been shot multiple times, a spokesperson for the Hall County Sheriff’s Office says.

Statham’s body has been sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy. The injured man was identified as Tyrenskie Odem, 31. Odem suffered a single gunshot wound to the pelvic area. He remains hospitalized.

At this point in the investigation, HCSO criminal investigators believe Statham arrived at the house and began a verbal argument with Odem. When Statham produced a gun and fired at Odem, a third party at the scene shot at Statham, striking him and killing him. That person has cooperated with the HCSO investigation and has not been charged.

The investigation remains active.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email