Police are searching for a man they suspect gunned down a professional golfer and two others at a golf course outside Atlanta over the holiday weekend.
Eugene Siller, 41, was found fatally shot on the 10th green of Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, Georgia on July 3, according to police. The golf pro, who had joined Pinetree as director of golf in September 2019, sustained a gunshot wound to his head.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.Two other men were also found fatally shot in the back of a white Dodge Ram 3500 pick-up truck at the golf course.
Police said that Paul Pierson, the vehicle’s owner, was identified as one of the two victims. Authorities added that he and the other victim, who they did not name, had “no relation” to the club.
Officers were initially dispatched to the golf course in the northern Atlanta suburbs shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. Employees claimed the suspected gunman had steered the Dodge down the course’s 10th fairway. Siller apparently was shot when he attempted to confront the driver.
Investigators said they suspect Siller after he “witnessed an active crime taking place.”
Some witnesses reported hearing nearly half a dozen gunshots echo across the golf course on Saturday.
“Then it was kind of like a frenzy, everyone was trying to figure out what was going on,” one witness told WXIA-TV.
Tire tracks from the truck could be seen on the course following the killings.
“It didn’t hit me until later that this happened at our country club,” another witness told the outlet. “I still can’t believe it.”
A motive in the suspected triple slaying hasn’t yet been released by law enforcement. A suspect in the shooting, who also hasn’t been identified, is still at large.
Cobb County Police Department said in a statement obtained by Oxygen.com that as of now it’stoo early in the investigation to speculate what the motive may have been in the triple killing.
The alleged shooter was described as a Hispanic male who is approximately six feet tall, weighs roughly 170 pounds, and has long hair. Officials described the shooter is considered “armed and dangerous.”
Students at nearby Kennesaw State University received a series of safety alerts via social media shortly before 3 p.m. following the shootings. Around two hours later, the university’s Office of Emergency Management declared there was no longer a “credible threat” to the school’s campus.
Authorities declined to comment further regarding the case this week.
A memorial honoring the late golfer was set up at Pinetree Country Club’s 10th hole.
“All of us at the GSGA are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred earlier today at Pinetree CC. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene Siller’s family and friends,” The Georgia State Golf Association tweeted after his death.
Pinetree Country Club General Manager Brad Nycum wasn’t immediately available for comment when contacted by Oxygen.com on Tuesday.
“Tragedy has stricken the Georgia Section PGA in the loss of our Member, Gene Siller,” The Georgia PGA issued a statement Saturday night said shortly after 9:30 p.m. “Thoughts and prayers for his family and the Pinetree Country Club family.”
In the days following Siller’s slaying, thousands have contributed to a GoFundMe campaign set up for his family. As of Tuesday, the fundraiser had generated nearly $500,000 in donations.
