Cherokee: Deputies shoot, kill man, find mother’s body decomposing inside home

Written by: A. Smith

Published October 27, 2025 @ 11:02 AM ET

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. -A 26-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday evening by deputies outside a Cherokee County home, where authorities also discovered his mother deceased in an advanced state of decomposition, officials said.

Cherokee County deputies responded to a wellness check at a residence on Whisperwood Trail near the intersection of Bells Ferry Road and Alabama Road around 6:45 p.m., according to Capt. Jay Baker of the sheriff’s office. When deputies arrived, they encountered an armed man, who was shot and killed outside the home. Authorities have not disclosed what prompted the gunfire.

One deputy was injured during the incident and taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital for treatment. The deputy was not shot and was released shortly afterward, Baker said.

Following the shooting, deputies detected a strong odor of decay and discovered an adult woman inside the home. She was identified as the mother of the 26-year-old man. Due to the advanced stage of decomposition, authorities said the cause of her death is unknown. Her body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for autopsy.

Names of the man and woman have not been released pending family notification.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, while the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is handling the investigation into the woman’s death.

Officials said the investigations are ongoing.