A tragic shooting on the morning of Saturday, December 21, 2024, claimed the life of 17-year-old Johnny Lairscy, a student at Southeast Bulloch High School, and left his father, Jarrell (Jay) Lairscy Sr., injured. The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office has charged Johnny’s younger brother, 15-year-old Jarrell Lairscy Jr., with multiple crimes, including murder, in connection with the incident according to Bulloch County Sheriff's Captain Todd Hutchens, CID Commander.
As previously reported by Grice Connect, Bulloch County Deputies responded to a property on Highway 46 near Waters Cemetery Road at 10:50 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found Johnny and his father suffering from gunshot wounds outside their residence. Emergency responders provided care at the scene before transporting Johnny to East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro. Despite efforts to save him, Johnny was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His untimely death has left the community in shock and mourning the loss of a young life full of potential.
Jarrell (Jay) Lairscy Sr. was also injured in the shooting. After receiving initial care on the scene, he was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Savannah for further treatment. Family has reported that he will be discharged from the hospital on Monday.
The suspect, 15-year-old Jarrell Lairscy Jr., was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with one count of felony murder and one count of malice murder in connection with his brother’s death. Additionally, he faces two counts of aggravated assault, one for each victim, and four counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Authorities have stated that Lairscy Jr. is being charged as an adult under Georgia’s “Seven Deadly Sins” law, which allows juveniles to be prosecuted as adults for certain violent crimes, including murder and aggravated assault. Despite the adult charges, he remains in a juvenile detention facility due to his age.
Investigators are working to determine a motive for the shooting but report that Lairscy Jr. has declined to provide an explanation for his actions. Authorities confirmed that the incident occurred in the yard outside the family’s home and emphasized that it was not related to hunting activities, as some initial speculation on social media suggested.
The investigation is ongoing, led by Investigator Jonathan Fadden. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in the case.
Investigator Fadden can be reached at 912-764-1747 or by calling the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 764-8888.
Friends of the Lariscy family have established a GoFundMe to assist with this tragedy.