Georgia Southern student killed, another charged after early morning shooting

STATESBORO, GA (WTOC) - A shooting early Wednesday morning in Statesboro left one Georgia Southern student dead and another facing charges.

The Bulloch County Sheriff's Office was called to a home in the 1000 block of Planters Lane shortly after 2 a.m. Upon arrival, they found 20-year-old Blake Shurling dead from a gunshot wound.

Investigators arrested 20-year-old Coleton Weatherford, who is also a student at Georgia Southern, after talking with multiple witnesses.

Investigators say alcohol is believed to have played a significant factor in the incident.

Weatherford is charged with involuntary manslaughter-felony, reckless conduct, and discharging a firearm while under the influence. He remains at the Bulloch County Jail.

"Involuntary manslaughter is an act without malice, but using something that was a direct contributor to the death," said Bulloch County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jared Akins.

Georgia Southern University issued the following statement:

The Georgia Southern University community is saddened to learn of an off-campus incident that resulted in the accidental shooting death of one of our students, Blake Kenneth Shurling. The Bulloch County Sheriff's Office notified Georgia Southern police that they are investigating. Our thoughts are with the friends and families during this time. Counseling is available for our students as we all grieve this tragedy. For further inquiries, please contact the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office at 912.764.8888.

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