GA Firefighter Took Photos At Twin Brothers' Death Scene: GBI

HIAWASSEE, GA — Authorities have arrested a 42-year-old Towns County volunteer firefighter accused of taking photos of the scene where twin brothers were recently shot to death and publicly sharing the images.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said Scott Kerlin, of Hiawassee, was charged on suspicion of misdemeanor obstruction after being accused of capturing and publicly sharing photos of Bell Mountain, where two Lawrencville brothers died. The GBI did not say whether Kerlin took photos of the bodies.

Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw said Kerlin disregarded protocol and was terminated Friday, 11Alive reported.

Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis were found dead with gunshot wounds around 11 a.m., March 8, on top of Bell Mountain in Hiawassee, the GBI said at the time.

The GBI also did not say Kerlin was directly charged in connection to the deadly shootings.

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Authorities did not release full details but said a preliminary probe indicated the deaths of the Lewis brothers were an apparent murder-suicide.

A GBI medical examiner has completed the autopsies, but the official ruling on a cause of death for the brothers and results are pending additional forensic tests.

The family of the twin hikers have dismissed the claim that the deaths were a murder-suicide, reportedly saying the Lewis brothers protected each other and were supposed to be visiting friends in Boston, Massachusetts at the time of their deaths.

A GoFundMe established for the twin brothers had surpassed its $20,000 goal as of Tuesday morning. The more than $28,000 will benefit their funeral, according to organizers.