One person was killed and another has been arrested following a fatal Sandersville shooting on the night of Thanksgiving.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday, November 24, Sandersville Police Department officers and assisting Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to disband a crowd at Loft 478 Venue, an event center located in the Tractor Supply and Word of Life Church shopping center behind Dairy Queen.
“While deputies and officers were attempting to disperse over 500 people, several fights broke out,” said Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, two separate parties resulted in a pair of brawls.
“It is believed the fights occurred inside the venue,” said Sandersville Police Department Captain Ken Parker. “The involved individuals and others immediately exited the center into the parking lot where shots were fired resulting in the death of one individual.”
In the melee, Thomas Womble, Jr., age 42, of Sparta was located with a gunshot wound. He later succumbed to his injuries at the local hospital.
Womble was also a victim of a September 2020 shooting in Sparta that claimed one life and injured six others.
Following a brief investigation by the Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and GBI, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Xzavious Wicker, 27 years old, of Sandersville for his connection to the incident.
Hours later, Wicker surrendered himself to deputies at the Washington County Jail. He is currently being held for a pending bond hearing.
Wicker has been charged with felony murder, malice murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime.