By Joe Johnson
A Jackson County deputy on Monday continued clinging to life three days after she was shot when responding to a domestic situation at a home in Hoschton.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, deputies responded to the home at 6416 Georgia Highway 124 at about 9:20 p.m. to investigate a complaint that homeowners wanted a non-resident out of the home.
“When deputies arrived at that location, they made contact with a woman at the front door of the residence. The woman pulled out a firearm and pointed it towards the deputies, according to the GBI. “The deputies gave verbal commands for the woman to drop the weapon. The woman opened fire on the deputies. One of the deputies was hit and injured. The other deputy returned fire, hitting the woman and killing her.”
The GBI identified the woman who was killed as 43-year-old Jessica Worsham of Hoschton.
Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum on Monday identified the injured deputy as Lena Nicole Marshall, who was transported to a local trauma center.
Additional information has not been released.
However, from several videotaped tirades posted to YouTube, Worsham rants against local judges and law enforcement, apparently concerning a child custody matter.
In September the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office issued a lookout for Worsham, saying that she and her two children were missing.
In one of the videos, posted two days before the shooting, Worsham called Jackson County and its employees “a disgrace” and wondered why no one was coming for her.
“Can’t make a decision? Can’t decide because you know what’s waiting for you?” the woman said.
In the same video Worsham spoke about having just gone to Braselton “to buy some ammo – critical defense bullets for ‘Betty,’ you know because we have to treat her right, I take her apart and make sure she is nice and lubricated...”
The shooting is being independently investigated by the GBI, which probes all officer-involved shooting incidents in the state.
The GBI said once they have completed investigating the incident, the casefile will be provided to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
Meanwhile, Jackson County Sheriff Janis Mangum announced on her agency’s Facebook page that an account for the injured deputy had been established.
“Deputy Lena Nicole Marshall Benefit Fund has been set up at the Northeast Georgia Bank, 1775 Old Pendergrass Road, Jefferson, Georgia. Donations can be made at any Northeast Georgia Bank,” the sheriff’s post said.
Mangum said in another post,” “Please be in prayer for our injured Deputy, the family, along with all the shift and coworkers of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.”
Sadness all around. Total of 5 children without their mothers. Wondering if this could have been prevented had dispatcher ask the name of the trespasser?
Good job JCSO. Keeping the injured Deputy in our prayers. Hope she makes a speedy and complete recovery.