While In Town For Funeral, Victim Shot To Death After Argument; Friend Convicted Of Murder

DOUGLAS COUNTY, GA — A Douglas County man faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole for shooting his friend to death, the Douglas County District Attorney's Office said.

On Jan. 17, 2020, the victim, whose name was not released, and his spouse were in the area for a family funeral. They went over to a friend's house to visit him — the defendant, Jarrod Hayes —and his wife when the victim and Hayes got into an argument, prosecutors said.

The argument turned physical. Hayes left the room, grabbed a rifle and shot the victim three times, hitting him once in the abdomen, which the DA's office said was the fatal shot. The victim also had trauma to his head and face from the fight.

Hayes was not injured in the fight or shooting. Authorities said he waited several minutes before calling 911, and he hid the rifle before calling.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office found the rifle when searching the home. Investigators determined that Hayes was the primary aggressor and he fired the fatal shot.

Hayes' trial started Feb. 14 and ended Tuesday. He was found guilty of malice murder, aggravated assault, felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

"This case is tragic on many levels. The victim was mourning the loss of a family member when his own life was senselessly taken," Douglas County District Attorney Dalia Racine said in a news release. "We are glad our community spoke out against this loss by finding the defendant guilty of these offenses."

Sentencing is scheduled March 7. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.