Man Kills Ex-Wife, Her Sister In North Georgia

DAHLONEGA, GA — A woman who fled a domestic violence situation in Florida was shot and killed by her ex-husband Thursday morning in North Georgia, the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies were dispatched to an "active situation" at a home S.R. 9 near Pink Williams Road in Dahlonega around 8:30 a.m. April 5.

According to the sheriff's office's Facebook page, a woman who left Florida with her child came to the county "to take refuge with her sister and her children" who lived in Dahlonega.

Her estranged husband, identified as Tampa resident Kelley James McDonald, Jr. 39, came to the house, entered the residence and killed the woman's sister. McDonald continued through the house and shot a 16-year-old girl, killed his estranged wife and took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the agency said.

A 13-year-old girl was able to escape, and ran to a nearby house to call 9-1-1. A 2-year-old who was also inside was injured in the attack. Both juvenile were transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston for treatment, Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said.

Jarrard added the children inside the home did not attend Lumpkin County schools, but were students of a private school in another community.

"Domestic violence is nothing to take lightly, and we aggressively investigate all domestic violence cases in Lumpkin County," he added.

Jarrard also encouraged residents who are victims of domestic violence to reach out to local organizations in their respective communities for help.

"Today has been a tragic day," he said Thursday. "I am grateful to the 1st responders, GBI and all responding agencies for all they did today. I ask that you continue to pray for this family and our community as we begin the process of healing."

According to the Tampa Bay Times, McDonald was wanted on domestic violence charges in Florida and was accused of strangling his wife. Hillsborough County Jail records show McDonald was arrested charged on one count of grand theft in the third degree in 2012. The charges were later dropped after McDonald entered and completed a pre-trial intervention program, the Times states.

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Image via Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office