Blakely Man Arrested, Charged with Felony Murder in April Shooting

BLAKELY, Ga. — A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting in Blakely, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Andrew Stapleton, 48, of Blakely, is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in the death of 40-year-old Anthony Beacham.

The investigation began April 17 when officers with the Blakely Police Department responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Palmetto Avenue around 6:30 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found Beacham suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Blakely Police Department requested the GBI to take over the investigation.

Stapleton was arrested May 5 and booked into the Early County Jail.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Field Office in Sylvester at 229-777-2080 or the Blakely Police Department at 229-723-3414. Anonymous tips 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.