Elberton Shootings Leave Two Dead, Woman Dies in Apparent Suicide

Elberton, GA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is assisting the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) following a series of shooting incidents that resulted in two deaths.

On Saturday, November 29, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m., ECSO deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting near the 1500 block of Bowman Highway in Elberton. The victim identified 31-year-old Moriah Lane Mills of Elberton as the shooter, who fled the scene.

While searching for Mills, a deputy discovered what appeared to be a single-car accident on Pulliam Road in Dewy Rose. Mills was found in a nearby grassy area holding a handgun. When instructed to drop the weapon, Mills reportedly shot herself and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The body of a 62-year-old man, Refugio Torres of Elberton, was found inside the wrecked vehicle. Torres had been shot and was pronounced dead at the scene. A surviving victim from the initial shooting was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Autopsies for Mills and Torres were conducted at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens at 706-552-2309. Anonymous tips for the GBI can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Special Agent in Charge: Jesse Maddox, Jesse.Maddox@gbi.ga.gov.

Once complete, the case file will be given to the Northern Judicial Circuit for review.