An altercation in Lamar County turned deadly in the early hours of Tuesday morning. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, 42-year-old Jacob Benjamin Craft has been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Witnesses said Craft had been driving recklessly near Willie Floyd Perdue’s home on Warner Road. When Perdue confronted him about his driving, Craft got out of his car and opened fire, shooting Perdue multiple times.
Lamar County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at approximately 1:00 AM. Upon arrival, they found Purdue suffering from gunshot wounds outside his residence. The victim was transported to Upson Regional Medical Center before being transferred to Navicent in Macon.
The victim, Perdue, succumbed to his injuries at the Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon early Tuesday morning. Perdue was 55 years old.
The suspect, Jacob Benjamin Craft, remains in custody at the Lamar County Jail as the investigation continues which has been handed over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
