Investigations continue regarding a fatal shooting near Statesboro Tuesday night. A domestic dispute “triangle” left one man dead, another charged with murder and a woman behind bars as well.

Jerry Thomas Pritchard, 26, is charged with murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during commission of a crime. Spencer Michelle Dutton, 26, is charged with obstruction, making false statements and writings, and hindering apprehension of a criminal. Brandon Trey Lively, 24, died after being rushed to a hospital following the shooting at the intersection of Hwy. 80 and Burkhalter Road around 9 p.m. Tuesday. Dutton

Bulloch County Sheriff’s Capt. Todd Hutchens said Friday the homicide is not drug-related, but stems from an ongoing “domestic situation” between the two men and the woman.

Family members report Lively, of a Colfax Road West address, was dating Dutton, of Burkhalter Road. Pritchard, of Bennet Grooms Road in Brooklet, dated Dutton in the past, and the two remained friends, with him working for her relatives at a Highway 46 address.

According to Sheriff’s reports, Pritchard shot Lively several times at the intersection between Aces and Pojo’s convenience stores, then fled the scene. An off-duty deputy who happened to be pumping gas at one of the nearby stores administered first aid and CPR, but Lively was pronounced dead after being transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center.

Pritchard, after someone called in a tip, was located at Dutton’s grandparents’ house on Highway 46, a short time after midnight, and was taken into custody.

Thursday, Bulloch County Sheriff’s investigators continued questioning witnesses and gathering evidence, enlisting the aid of K9 units from Georgia Southern University and Chatham County law enforcement, Hutchens said. Crews searched the roadside and areas near the intersection of Burkhalter and Highway 80 as well as the farm on Highway 46, he said.

Pritchard, who remains in the Bulloch County Jail without bond, attended a first appearance hearing Friday. Dutton also remains in jail without bond, according to jail records.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Bulloch County Sheriff’s Inv. John Quattlebaum at (912) 764-8888.





Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.



















