Road Rage Incident in Paulding County Leads to Fatal Shooting

A road rage confrontation near the intersection of Ridge Road and Cohran Store Road on Monday, June 9, 2025, escalated into a fatal shooting, resulting in the death of 41-year-old Shawn Christopher Brannon of Piedmont, Alabama. The suspect, 46-year-old Collins Pruitt, has been arrested and charged with Voluntary Manslaughter.

At approximately 2:25 PM, Paulding County E-911 received a call from Brannon, who reported being involved in an altercation with a Black male driving a black SUV and stated he had been shot. Brannon then drove himself to Paulding County Fire Station 5 at 4215 Ridge Road in Douglasville for emergency medical assistance. He was subsequently transported to Wellstar Paulding Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Detectives with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched an investigation. Through various investigative techniques, they were able to locate both the black SUV and identify the suspect as Collins Pruitt. Pruitt was located at his residence in Cobb County and taken into custody without incident.

Following interviews and a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, detectives determined that the shooting did not meet the legal threshold for a murder charge. Consequently, Collins Pruitt has been charged with one count of Voluntary Manslaughter (F) and is currently being held without bond at the Paulding County Jail.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Detectives are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has information related to the case to contact the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at (770) 443-3047, or to submit a tip via the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.