Man Charged With Murder in Fatal Shooting of Hunting Companion

The man accused of making false statements in the fatal shooting death of a hunting companion is now facing more serious charges.

Christopher K. Carver has been charged with murder, possession of methamphetamine, misuse of firearm while hunting resulting in serious harm to another; hunting under the influence of drugs (less safe); hunting without permission; failure to wear fluorescent orange garment while hunting and hunting without big game license, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said.

A preliminary hearing and bond motion was heard Jan. 15 in front of Cherokee County Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea. McElyea found “probable cause” in the case and Carver was denied bond, Wallace stated.

He remains held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, Carver and Dennis David Orr of Robbinsville, North Carolina, were deer hunting near Hunt Road in the extreme southwest portion of the county when Orr, 51, was fatally shot in the abdomen, said Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division spokesperson Mark McKinnon.

Several witnesses — including Carver — were interviewed in the case. However, McKinnon noted Carver, who was “briefly” interviewed, allegedly gave false statements to officers conducting the interviews. Carver was initially charged with probation violation and making false statements by the Department of Natural Resources.

The charges were upgraded by DNR after completing its investigation and “consulting with our office,” Wallace said.

The state Department of Natural Resources and Cherokee Sheriff’s Office conducted the initial investigation, and their case files were turned over to the district attorney’s office for review.

Wallace said her office will continue to review the files and “conduct any necessary follow-up investigation before proceeding to grand jury,” she added.

Photo: Christopher Carver of Acworth. Credit: Cherokee Sheriff’s Office