WHEELER COUNTY, Ga. — New information has been released in connection with a fatal hunting-related shooting in Wheeler County over the weekend, including the identity of the 23-year-old man who died. According to a Georgia Department of Natural Resources incident report obtained by WGXA, the man who died has been identified as Thomas “Cooper” Hartley, 23, of Glenwood.
Howard “Benji” Hartley, 57, of Glenwood, faces felony involuntary manslaughter and hunting-related charges in connection with the death. Wheeler County School Superintendent Dr. C. Alex Alvarez confirmed to 13WMAZ Tuesday that Howard Hartley serves as Dean of Students at Wheeler County High School and is currently on personal leave following his arrest. Wheeler County Schools’ website and current school documents also list Hartley as Dean of Students.
According to the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division, the shooting happened at approximately 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, near Spring Hill Road in Wheeler County. DNR has said five adults were involved in what the agency described as illegal hunting activity when Cooper Hartley was fatally shot.
Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office records cited by 13WMAZ list charges against Howard Hartley of felony involuntary manslaughter, hunting from a vehicle and hunting on or across a public road. A DNR incident report obtained by WGXA also lists a charge related to killing deer at night.
Cooper Hartley was a 2021 graduate of Wheeler County High School and became a certified welder in 2022, according to obituary information reported by WGXA. He worked at Oconee River Lodge and enjoyed hunting, fishing and tracking. The DNR incident report indicates both Cooper Hartley and Howard Hartley had completed hunter-safety courses.
Many details surrounding the shooting have not yet been publicly released. DNR’s Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation, and investigators have said they are continuing to gather evidence. Officials have not released a detailed account explaining exactly how the shooting occurred, including the positions of those involved or the circumstances immediately preceding the fatal shot.
Under Georgia law, felony involuntary manslaughter can apply when a person causes another person’s death without intending to do so while committing an unlawful act other than a felony. A conviction for felony involuntary manslaughter can carry a sentence of one to 10 years in prison. The charges are accusations, and Howard Hartley is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case drew additional attention Tuesday following confirmation of Howard Hartley’s position within the Wheeler County School District. The district’s current staff directory identifies Benji Hartley as Dean of Students at Wheeler County High School, and current school materials also list him among the school’s administrators. According to 13WMAZ, Superintendent Alvarez confirmed Hartley is currently on personal leave.
The Georgia DNR investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released a complete reconstruction of the shooting or announced whether additional charges are expected.
Hazlehurst Now will continue to follow the case and provide updates as information is released by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Wheeler County authorities or other official sources.
Sources: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division; Wheeler County Schools; Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office records and Superintendent Dr. C. Alex Alvarez as reported by 13WMAZ; Georgia DNR incident report and obituary information as reported by WGXA.
