Shooter Casey Lawhorn Takes His Own Life In Mississippi

  • Monday, April 9, 2018

A dead body found Monday in a wooded area in Mississippi was identied as that of 24-year-old Casey Lawhorn who admitted killing his mother and a friend. The two were shot and killed at a house on John Ross Road in East Ridge early Sunday morning.

Funeral arrangements have been announced for Avery Gaines, one of the two victims.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5-8 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 8451 East Brainerd Road. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, at 11 a.m. at the church with Rev. Eric Mullinax and Dr. Dan Steere officiating. 

His father, Jeremy Gaines, is music director at the church.

Avery is also survived by his mother Domekia (King) Gaines, two brothers, Jonah, and Kale, two sisters, Ellie and Anna, and his grandparents, David and Donna King, of Calhoun. 

Officials of UnifiEd said Casey Lawhorn had been one of its volunteers.

The group said his brother, Chad Lawhorn, has worked with it as a community organizer.

UnifiEd issued this statement, "The staff, board, and community of UnifiEd extends its deepest sympathies to our friend and former colleague, Chad Lawhorn, on the loss of his mother and brother in the tragic events that have transpired in the last two days. Chad is a devoted and dynamic community organizer for the issues facing Hamilton County and the state of Tennessee. 

"Chad's brother, Casey, was a volunteer at UnifiEd. Our team is shocked and heartbroken to learn of his actions. We want to assure our volunteers, students, teachers, and parents that our organization's top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire UnifiEd team. Per UnifiEd's policy and standard practices, a trained UnifiEd staff member is in direct supervision of volunteers and students at all times. 

"We will work over the coming weeks to ensure that our staff, volunteers, and allies have the tools necessary to deal with this tragedy in a healthy way. Our thoughts will remain with Chad, his family, and our Hamilton County community during this difficult time of healing."

 

 

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