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Name:
Caver, William Rogers
Date of Booking:
05/24/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
POSSESSION OF FIREARM OR KNIFE DURING COMMISSION OF OR ATTEMPT TO COMMIT CERTAIN FELONIES
Aggravated Assault
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
[NARRATIVE #1 on June 24, 2026]
On 05/24/26 at 08:22 hours, I, PFC B. Smith, was dispatched to [200 BLOCK] Weathington Rd in reference to an in-progress shooting. Due to the nature of the call, I activated my blue lights and audible siren and responded in emergency fashion. I was advised that a male had been shot and that the suspect was still on scene holding a shotgun. At the time, I was on duty, in full uniform, and operating a fully marked patrol vehicle. While en route, dispatch advised that the suspect no longer had possession of the shotgun. The suspect was described as a white male wearing a black shirt.
I arrived on scene at approximately 08:32 hours and observed a white male wearing a black shirt and shorts standing further up the roadway. Due to his close proximity to the scene and his matching the clothing description provided by dispatch, I believed the male to be the suspected shooter.
Due to the severity of the call and the information that the suspect had recently been armed with a shotgun, I drew my department issued firearm and began giving loud verbal commands to the male. I ordered him to stop and place his hands on top of his head. I then instructed him to turn away from me. Once he complied, I began closing the distance while maintaining visual control of his hands. I instructed the male to walk backwards toward officers while keeping his hands on top of his head.
Once I was within closer proximity, I ordered the male to stop and go down onto his knees while continuing to keep his hands visible. At that point, myself and PFC Jenkins approached the male. PFC Jenkins provided lethal cover while I holstered my firearm and placed the male into handcuffs without incident. I conducted a pat down search of his person for weapons before escorting him to my patrol vehicle. I then searched him a second time to ensure he was not concealing any firearms or other weapons before securing him in the rear seat of my patrol vehicle.
PFC Jenkins then proceeded further into the scene and began rendering aid to the victim. I notified the Shift Supervisor of the incident, and CID was requested to respond. With assistance from additional officers on scene, the crime scene was secured and crime scene tape was established around the area. During the investigation, a shotgun was located inside a red Toyota Prius, positioned in the backseat area. The vehicle was secured and the firearm was left in place pending CID processing.
I advised the suspect of his Miranda rights, and he stated he understood those rights and agreed to continue speaking with officers. I then asked the suspect for his name and date of birth, which he provided, allowing me to positively identify him as William Caver.
SGT Ribot later arrived on scene and assumed control of the investigation. I remained on scene with William Caver secured in the rear of my patrol vehicle. At the conclusion of the on scene investigation, I transported William Caver to the Floyd County Jail, where he was medically cleared and booked without incident.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #2 on June 24, 2026]
On Sunday 05-24-2026 I Pfc Jenkins responded to the area of [200 BLOCK] Weathington rd in regards to a report a person had been shot.
Due to the nature of the injury I activated my emergency lights and siren to respond in an emergency fashion. While in route 911 Dispatch advised that the shooter still had a gun in his hands and was standing on top of the hill.
Once I arrived on scene I arrived in a marked patrol car wearing a full police uniform displaying my badge of office. Once I arrived Pfc was holding the shooter later identified as WILLIAM CAVER at gun point giving him verbal commands. I came around the rear of Pfc B. Smith and created an angle on WILLIAM in case he had another firearm on him with my department issued firearm at a low ready.
Once WILLIAM was placed into handcuffs and secured I ran to the victim identified as [VICTIM #1]. [VICTIM #1] had a single shotgun wound to the lower abdomen. [VICTIM #1]’s wife [WITNESS #1] had already placed rags on the wound and was applying pressure. I took over for [WITNESS #1] and applied pressure to the gun shot wound. I began to ask [VICTIM #1] questions in attempts to keep him awake and breathing. [VICTIM #1] was not very forth coming with information and did not want to tell me his name.
While [VICTIM #1] was speaking and yelling I could smell a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from his breathe and/or person. Once EMS arrived I assisted in helping load [VICTIM #1] on the stretcher and placed in the care of EMS. I then began to interview witnesses while sheriffs deputies were taping off the scene. I spoke with the victims wife [WITNESS #1].
[WITNESS #1] stated that she and her husband had been having issues for over a year. [WITNESS #1] stated that yesterday 5-23-26 Police officers were called to the home on 2 separate occasions due to issues with [VICTIM #1] and her. [WITNESS #1] stated that [VICTIM #1] was a drunk and when he was drunk he was not a good person to be around and that they argue. [WITNESS #1] stated that yesterday she attempted to separate herself [VICTIM #1] by driving him to Lindale and dropping him off but [VICTIM #1] showed back up at the home later on. [WITNESS #1] stated that after the police left for the 2nd time [VICTIM #1] left her alone for the rest of the night.
[WITNESS #1] stated that she was awoken at 0700 this morning by [VICTIM #1] making rude comments to her but nothing physical occurred. [WITNESS #1] stated that she received a text from her brother WILLIAM stating that he was coming and for their mother [REDACTED] to have her stuff ready. [WITNESS #1] assumed that WILLIAM was coming to get their mother to carry her home.
[WITNESS #1] stated that around 0730 she went outside and [VICTIM #1] was already drinking a beer. [WITNESS #1] then stated she told [VICTIM #1] he had to leave if he was going to drink and she didn’t want to be around him. [WITNESS #1] stated she went back inside. When WILLIAM arrived at the residence [WITNESS #1] stated that WILLIAM came in to the home holding the shotgun asking where [VICTIM #1] was at. [WITNESS #1] told WILLIAM that [VICTIM #1] already gone to the park and he needed to put the gun up. [WITNESS #1] then stated that WILLIAM walked outside.
[WITNESS #1] then stated that he heard her brother yell something outside around the back of the house before she heard the first shot go off. [WITNESS #1] then stated she heard more shots and she went outside around back. [WITNESS #1] stated that she found [VICTIM #1] laying on the ground holding his stomach. [WITNESS #1] stated that she didn’t think [VICTIM #1] had been shot at first but then she seen the wound and told her mom [REDACTED] to call 911 [VICTIM #1] had been shot. [WITNESS #1] then got some towels and applied pressure to the wound which is where I found [WITNESS #1] when I arrived.
I spoke to a neighbor identified as [WITNESS #2]. [WITNESS #2] stated that she seen the altercation occur. [WITNESS #2] stated she was laying in bed when she heard arguing outside then a single gun shot. [WITNESS #2] then jumped out of bed and ran to a window near the shooting and opened the blinds to see WILLIAM holding a gun. [WITNESS #2] did not see the victim at that time. [WITNESS #2] went to another window and looked out and she could then see. [WITNESS #2] then heard 2 more shots before she seen [VICTIM #1] laying on the ground holding his stomach. [WITNESS #2] then stated that she say WILLIAM standing next to [VICTIM #1] looking at him swinging the gun.
[End of Narrative]
[NARRATIVE #3 on June 24, 2026]
On May 24, 2026, I responded to the location. I conducted an interview with the offender and the Vitim’s wife. The victim was not there at the time because he went to the hospital. Probable cause was established and Mr. Caver was arrested.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
6/18/26
FLOYD COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT GRANTS BOND FOR WILLIAM ROGERS CAVER
What this means: A judge in Floyd County Superior Court ordered that William Rogers Caver could be released from the Floyd County Jail while his case is pending, provided he posted a bond of $25,000. A bond is a financial guarantee that the defendant will return to court as required. The court imposed several conditions on Caver’s release, including residing at a specified address and restrictions on contact with the alleged victim.
7/10/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 4 COUNTS FILED AGAINST WILLIAM ROGERS CAVER
What this means: A Floyd County grand jury formally charged William Rogers Caver on July 10, 2026, returning a true bill of indictment under case number 26CR01167 in Floyd County Superior Court. A grand jury is a group of citizens who reviewed the evidence and agreed there was enough to move the case forward to trial. The indictment covers four felony counts, all stemming from an incident alleged to have occurred on or about May 24, 2026.
Count 1 charges William Rogers Caver with Aggravated Battery (O.C.G.A. 16-5-24), a felony. He is accused of maliciously causing bodily harm to the victim by depriving the victim of a member of his body, rendering a member of his body useless, and seriously disfiguring his body — specifically by allegedly shooting the victim in the lower abdomen, causing scarring and disfigurement and requiring the victim to be placed in a medically induced coma, thereby allegedly rendering the entire body useless.
Count 2 charges William Rogers Caver with Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21), a felony. He is accused of making an assault upon the victim with a deadly weapon — specifically a Mossberg, O.F. & Sons pump action 12 gauge shotgun — by allegedly shooting the victim in the lower abdomen.
Count 3 charges William Rogers Caver with Aggravated Assault (O.C.G.A. 16-5-21), a felony. He is accused of making an assault upon the victim with intent to murder, by allegedly shooting the victim in the abdomen with a Mossberg, O.F. & Sons pump action 12 gauge shotgun.
Count 4 charges William Rogers Caver with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (O.C.G.A. 16-11-106), a felony. He is accused of unlawfully having on his person a Mossberg, O.F. & Sons pump action 12 gauge shotgun during the alleged commission of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Battery against the victim.
7/23/26
PUBLIC DEFENDER APPOINTED TO REPRESENT WILLIAM ROGERS CAVER
What this means: A judge in Floyd County Superior Court determined that William Rogers Caver qualifies as indigent — meaning he does not have the financial means to hire a private attorney — under the criteria of the Georgia Indigent Defense Act. As a result, the court appointed the Office of the Public Defender for the Rome Judicial Circuit to represent him. Attorney Crystal B. Polizzi will serve as his attorney of record in case number 26CR01167.
8/27/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR WILLIAM ROGERS CAVER
What this means: An arraignment has been scheduled for William Rogers Caver on August 27, 2026, at 2:30 PM in Floyd County Superior Court. An arraignment is a court hearing where the defendant is formally read the charges against him and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This will be one of the next steps in the case moving forward.