GBI Investigates Fatal Shooting Incident in Screven County

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is looking into the circumstances surrounding two fatalities in Screven County, Georgia. The incident occurred in the early hours of March 16, 2024, when law enforcement responded to reports of a car crash on Hwy 301 South, near the city limits of Sylvania. Upon arrival at approximately 3:15 a.m., officers discovered two men, both aged 30, inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds.

Leon Tolbert Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene, while Brandon Counts was transported to a local hospital for urgent medical care. Unfortunately, Counts did not survive his injuries and was later declared deceased. The investigation has revealed that the car was not involved in a crash but had veered off the side of the road.

In the course of the investigation, authorities recovered a handgun from the vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) has confirmed that the car’s movements do not correlate with a typical collision, raising questions about the events leading up to the shooting.

The investigation is being conducted at the request of the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, which is cooperating fully with the GBI. As the inquiry unfolds, officials have not yet disclosed further details regarding potential suspects or motives.

This incident has shaken the local community, prompting concerns over safety and the factors contributing to such violence. GBI agents are expected to continue their examination, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to build a clearer picture of the tragic events that occurred that night.

As the investigation progresses, the GBI aims to provide answers to the families affected by this loss and the residents of Screven County, who are eager for resolution and clarity surrounding these deaths.