A long-running family feud in Wilkinson County, Georgia, ended in fatal violence on the evening of July 8, 2023. Seventy-three-year-old Ezekiel Shinholster was shot and killed at the Farrish Wood Road residence he shared with his younger brother during an argument reported to have been about changing the locks on the home. A third brother who was present tried to calm the situation but was unable to stop it.

Deputies found Ezekiel deceased after responding to a call about a domestic dispute. His brother, 67-year-old Rickey Lee Shinholster, fled briefly to a relative’s nearby home before being returned to police and arrested. Authorities said Rickey fired a single shot from a 9mm pistol into Ezekiel’s chest. He was charged with felony murder and aggravated assault; a grand jury later indicted him on malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The investigation involved the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

The shooting left several questions for the community and the victim’s family about what led to the deadly escalation. If anyone knew Ezekiel or has information about what happened that night, please share what can help the inquiry.