SANDERSVILLE, Ga. — UPDATE: 9:10 p.m.
A 27-year-old man has been arrested after a shooting that left a man dead at a party on Thanksgiving night, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
There were two separate parties at the event center, according to the GBI. Two fights broke out at about 1:30 a.m.
While officers and deputies were trying to break up the fights and disperse the crowd, someone nearby fired gunshots.
Officers found Thomas Womble, Jr., age 42, of Sparta, with a gunshot wound. Womble later died at a local hospital.
The sheriff’s office released the following information Friday evening Xzavious Wicker has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
The release says he is charged with Murder, Aggravated Assault, Malice Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Crime.
If you have any information about what happened, you are asked to reach out to the Washington County Sheriff's Office 911 Center at 478-552-091 or Lt. Brian Dudly at 478-357-1720, Capt. Ken Parker at 478-232-2628 or Special Agent Eugene Howard at 478-374-6988.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
More than a Number:
RELATED: More Than A Number: Family Form
More Than A Number is a Poynter-Stand Together award-winning project by Justin Baxley designed to help families of loved ones impacted by tragedy and trauma interact with journalists in a less intrusive way. Families are able to fill out a form about their family and also receive an in-depth guide on the next steps.
More Than A Number officially launched in August with a streaming special available on 13WMAZ+ for on-demand streaming. For any questions or concerns about More Than A Number, contact us here at the following email: MoreThanANumber@13wmaz.com.