Gainesville, GA – A Hall County woman has been charged with murder following a deadly overnight shooting that claimed the life of her partner, authorities said.
Incident Details
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home on Bayridge Drive around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, where they discovered an unresponsive man in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the torso.
The victim, identified as 68-year-old James David Barron, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, where he was pronounced dead.
Suspect and Charges
Investigators say 61-year-old Suzanne Renee Mericle, Barron’s partner and cohabitant, allegedly shot him with a handgun. Mericle was at the scene when deputies arrived and was taken into custody without incident.
She has been charged with felony murder, as well as aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Mericle is currently being held without bond at the Hall County Jail.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the case remains under active investigation.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.