Fatal shooting of Sparta woman under investigation

Nov. 7—SPARTA, Ga. — Local and state law enforcement authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of a Sparta woman found inside a residence Saturday morning.

The victim died at Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin hospital in Milledgeville, according to a press release from Sparta Police Chief Tommie Walker Jr.

The police chief identified the victim as Jaquashia Rhodes.

Walker said police officers were dispatched following "an undisclosed complaint" at a residence on the 300 block of Powelton Avenue at 11:20 a.m.

"Upon reaching the scene, officers were approached by an individual from the western side of the residence, who informed us that a female had sustained a gunshot wound," Walker said.

After entering the residence, officers discovered Rhodes laying on her left side on the floor of a bedroom, Walker said.

"It was stated that Ms. Rhodes had been unintentionally shot," Walker said.

Police officers detained a man for questioning at the scene but no one had reportedly been charged in connection with the shooting as of Monday afternoon, authorities said.

"Those present at the scene attested that the incident was accidental in nature," Walker said.

Rhodes received medical attention at the scene by firefighters/first responders with Hancock County Fire Rescue and personnel with the Hancock County Emergency Medical Services following the shooting. She was taken by ambulance to the emergency department of Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin hospital in Milledgeville where she later died.

Walker said agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 6 Office in Milledgeville were called to assist the police department with the investigation.

The shooting remained under investigation Monday by the Sparta Police Department and the GBI Region 6 Office.