By Joe Johnson
A father in Oglethorpe County was accidentally killed last weekend by the same bullet that his son fired when committing suicide, according to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office.
"We received information from the crime lab on critical forensic information needed to give the full picture of what transpired,” the sheriff’s office stated in a Wednesday afternoon post on its Facebook page.
Andrew Colvard-Moneymaker, 27, had been struggling with issues related to his mental health, the post stated.
“From the scene and ballistic information (it was determined) Andrew was attempting to harm himself with a firearm. His father, Jason Colvard, 51, appeared to be trying to intervene and stop him by grabbing him. Andrew was able to fire one round, striking himself in the head. The bullet exited Andrew and the same bullet also struck Jason killing both of them," according to the post.
The sheriff’s office said that the case will be ruled a suicide and an accidental death.
There is no evidence that Andrew intended to harm his father," the Facebook post said.
Deputies discovered the men’s bodies on Sunday when making a welfare check at their home on Wesley Chapel Road, outside the city of Lexington, according to sheriff’s Capt. Mike Tyndell.
The father and grandfather of the two men had requested the welfare check because relatives had not heard from either man in 10 days and they were concerned about their welfare, Tyndell said.
If you or someone you know is having issues with mental illness there are people to help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255
Colvard and his son had four pit bulls that lived in the house with them and 20-30 barn cats that lived outside. The dogs -- Beau, Cita, Gremlin and Buddy -- are currently at the Oconee County Animal Shelter and will be adopted out.
The cats are currently being caught and will also be up for adoption at the same facility, located at 1171 Branch Road in Bishop, Ga. 30621, (706) 769-3956