Blakely, Ga. shooting sends woman to Dothan hospital, suspect charged

A Georgia woman is in serious condition at Southeast Alabama Medical Center after authorities say she suffered life threatening injuries during an early morning shooting.

Early County Georgia Sheriff’s Capt. Will Caudill said 24-year-old Rachelle Graham suffered injuries to her head and possibly in other areas of her body during the shooting. Caudill said she was in surgery for some of the injuries on Wednesday. Caudill said Graham was initially taken to Early Memorial Hospital and later taken to SAMC.

Caudill said investigators have arrested who they believe to be the shooter, Mary Lee Barber, 23, of Blakely, and charged her with felony aggravated assault. Caudill said Barber likely faces more charges, including weapons crimes.

According to a statement from the Early County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a shooting call around 7 a.m. central time on Howell Street in Blakely, Ga, near Willis Cain Homes. The statement said officers found Graham had suffered from apparent gunshot wounds. Caudill said Graham was found inside her vehicle by police investigators.

Caudill said the shooting stemmed from a dispute between the two women that apparently escalated.