Officers arrest Dearing man in Sunday shooting

A Lincoln County man was shot at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 4, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Mt. Zion Church Road.

Arrested in connection with the crime was James Lee Garnett, 69, of Dearing.

"Both Mr. Garnett and the victim, Curtis Lee Smith, 58, are members of the church," said Pat Morgan, assistant special agent in charge of the Thomson Office of the GBI. "Mr. Smith was inside the church when Mr. Garnett entered the sanctuary, saw the victim, exited the building, and went to his vehicle. After he returned to the sanctuary a second time, the victim got up and walked outside, followed by Mr. Garnett.

"At that point, Mr. Garnett shot Mr. Smith twice with a revolver, once in the hand and once in the chest," the GBI agent continued. "He also struck the victim in the head area with the gun."

Smith was transported by private vehicle to Wills Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released the same day.

According to Special Agent Morgan, Garnett has been charged with one count each of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

As of press time, the motive behind the shooting had yet to be determined.

Garnett is currently out on a $10,000 property bond.