WAYNESBORO, Ga. — A Waynesboro man has been charged in connection with the city’s first homicide of the year. Julian Bright, 31, turned himself in to the Waynesboro Police Department on Sunday night, following an investigation into the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Raynard Ellison.

According to authorities, Bright has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. His arrest comes after he was initially sought for questioning and later identified as a person of interest in the case.

The shooting occurred early Sunday morning at Magnolia Acres, a residential area in Waynesboro. Officers first responded to a call at approximately 4:20 a.m. regarding shots fired near the mailboxes. However, upon arrival, police found no evidence of gunfire in that area. Just 20 minutes later, a second call was made, reporting a gunshot victim inside one of the apartment units.

Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered Ellison inside Apartment 47, unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the chest. The Burke County Sheriff’s Office, which responded to the scene alongside Waynesboro police, immediately began performing CPR on Ellison until medical crews arrived. Ellison was rushed to Burke Health, where he was pronounced dead at 5:42 a.m.

Authorities cleared Ellison’s mother from suspicion early in the investigation, confirming she was not involved in the incident.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to Ellison’s death. Bright is currently in custody as he awaits further legal proceedings.