UPDATED: Suicide at Union County Courthouse

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BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. – Lt. Russell Walker with the Blairsville Police Department confirmed a suicide occurred outside of the Union County Courthouse sometime before 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 21.

Criminal Investigator Lt. Tom Mangifesta, of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, stated the victim was 59-year-old Elmore Martin Putney III, a Blairsville attorney who had been practicing law locally for over three years. Mangifesta reported Putney died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The lieutenant added the incident occurred sometime between when Putney was last seen on security cameras outside the courthouse at 8:55 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. when a call was received by the sheriff’s office from a passerby who reported seeing Putney lying on the ground outside the north lower parking lot entrance of the courthouse.  Mangifesta also stated Putney was scheduled to be at the courthouse for a court hearing later that day.

Following the revelation that a shooting had occurred, the courthouse was put into a state of lockdown. Mangifesta also said sounds of gunfire were never reported and stated a nearby berm and large transformers outside the courthouse entrance may have contributed to the inability of anyone in the near vicinity hearing the gunshot.

According to the Mangifesta, Putney had finalized his will Friday, May 18, and several other documents including notes were later discovered in the ensuing investigation that led investigators to believe the incident was premeditated by Putney. Mangifesta speculated Putney had been “suffering from mental health issues for a long time.”

Union County School Superintendent John Hill confirmed reports that all schools were also put on lockdown following the incident. Hill stated the school system received word at 10:54 a.m. from the Union County Sheriff’s Office of a shooting at the courthouse and the schools were immediately locked down as part of standard protocol for the schools. Hill added the lockdown was lifted at 11:15 a.m. after the school system received details as to the nature of the incident and it was determined there was no threat at the schools.

The incident is being investigated by the Union County Sheriff’s Office. FetchYourNews will have further details on this as they become available.

 

 

Author

Jason Beck

Born in Merrillville, Indiana, raised in Cleveland, Tennessee, and currently resides in Copperhill, Tennessee. Graduated from Bradley Central High School in 1996 and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eventually earning a B.A. and M.A. in English. Hobbies include hiking, camping and fly-fishing. Interests include baseball, hockey and cliff jumping.

9 Comments

  1. scott anna May 21, 2018 at 3:55 pm

    The article needs to get their facts right. He was 59 years old. 🙁
    Many people know him in this area, and has done a lot for Union County. His name has been asked to not be released due to notification of next of kin.

    • Lenny Kravitz May 21, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      I don’t really think that’s a major issue at this point as far as facts go.

    • Ed Reed May 22, 2018 at 8:02 am

      Obviously the author isn’t from around here, so he would know little about Union County.

  2. Gail Lynn May 21, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    I don’t think comments are necessary – it is sad and tragic and he was a wonderful person

  3. Amanda May 22, 2018 at 7:47 am

    I’m so sorry for the family’s and friends loss! I do have one question. I’m not trying to be mean or offensive. Nor am I trying to start an argument but, how was anyone able to bring a gun into the courthouse? Again not trying to be rude at all. I just don’t understand how this was possible. Again, I’m so sorry for the loss!

  4. Dena May 22, 2018 at 4:21 pm

    Amanda, it happened outside the courthouse not inside.

  5. veteranman May 24, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    Whats all the secrecy about? Occurring at the court house usually brings all the news vultures… whats being swept under the rug here? And why at the courthouse…need to keep an eye on this

    • Jill June 1, 2018 at 10:07 am

      absolutely nothing

  6. m w gluegla May 24, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    and deleting comments suspect of the situation…?

    a 30 year homicide investigator loves a challenge
    good ol boyz arent gonna like me I guess

    too bad

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