GBI Investigates Hiawassee Shooting

Hiawassee, GA (January 27, 2021) – On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at approximately 2:50 PM, the Hiawassee Police Department requested the GBI to investigate a shooting at the Chatuge Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic in Hiawassee, Towns County, Georgia. The victim, an employee of the Clinic, was shot multiple times by Charles Jason Matheson, 41 of Young Harris, GA, the victim’s estranged husband. The victim was transported to a north Georgia area hospital for treatment. Matheson left the scene of the shooting and traveled to a family residence in Clay County, North Carolina. The GBI and Hiawassee PD officials coordinated with the Clay County, North Carolina Sheriff’s Office to locate and apprehend Matheson. NC authorities successfully located Matheson and arrested him on Georgia aggravated assault charges without incident. Matheson is currently in custody in Clay County, NC pending extradition to Georgia.

The investigation is still ongoing and upon conclusion will be provided to the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution.