Shooting suspect transported back to Pickens

JASPER, Ga. – Yesterday, January 20, 2022, a person opened fire near the dollar general in the Golden Springs area of Pickens County. A press release from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed the arrest of Nathan Lewis Highsmith, 26, years old of Canton, Georgia, in regards to the shooting

Today, Pickens Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Hannah Wise confirmed with FYN that the shooting suspect, Highsmith (pictured above), has been transferred into Pickens County from the Sandy Springs Police Department. The Sheriff’s release noted that Highsmith allegedly fled the scene in a Honda Accord and was later arrested by Sandy Spring Police.

Wise also confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office currently believes the incident to be a solitary one with Highsmith acting alone, but asserted that the Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the incident. Officer Wise stated that they have not confirmed the motive behind the shooting either.

As an ongoing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office is not releasing detailed information such as if the victims knew Highsmith or other possible connections. Additionally, as a part of the ongoing investigation, the Sheriff’s Office has contacted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) to assist as well. The GBI has not released a statement about the investigation at all.

The shooting claimed one life and there was no update available to the public on the second victim from Wise today. As of now, the charges still stand at Aggravated Assault and Felony Murder. Wise confirmed that as of January 21, 2022, Highsmith is still in custody and has not been released on bail.