Murder Suspect Captured Along Georgia Highway After Motorist Reports Suspicious Behavior

A man wanted for a homicide in Florida and a separate armed incident in South Carolina was arrested Friday afternoon, June 6, 2025, following a 911 call from a passing motorist who reported a suspicious individual on the shoulder of the highway.

At approximately 3:41 p.m., a motorist contacted authorities after spotting a male wearing all white and a red baseball cap, kneeling with one hand raised on the side of the road. Taliaferro County Sheriff’s Deputy R. Shapiro responded and made contact with the individual, who told the deputy he was armed. The firearm was safely secured, and the man provided his name and date of birth.

A records check revealed the man was wanted out of Sumter, South Carolina, for allegedly pointing a gun at someone earlier that same day. Authorities in South Carolina further advised that the man was a suspect in a double homicide under investigation by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

During questioning, the man admitted to killing two individuals and said he had abandoned a stolen Nissan Pathfinder along Interstate 20. A regional search was initiated, and deputies with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle near the 154.5 mile marker. The SUV was recovered and held for Pinellas County investigators.

The suspect was transported to the McDuffie County Jail, where he is being held pending extradition to Florida on two counts of homicide.

The suspect was identified as 37-year-old Nicholas Steven Kirchner. He was wanted for murdering his parents.

Sheriff Tia M. McWilliams thanked the alert motorist and praised her deputies and regional partners, stating, “This case highlights the importance of the alert actions of passing motorists and the strength of interagency cooperation, coordination, and support.”