Local

Employee found shot dead at car dealership

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Investigators are looking for a killer after a man was shot to death at a Gainesville car dealership.

Police said Charles Weaver, 42, was the first to arrive at work Friday morning. Investigators said Weaver opened up Carriage Mitsubishi on Browns Bridge Road.

By the time the next employee arrived, police said Weaver was found dead.

"An employee arrived around 7:44 this morning, notified the police. We observed Mr. Weaver had been fatally shot," Cpl. Kevin Holbrook of the Gainesville Police Department told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh.

Police said they know what happened but they don't know why.

"Who was the target? Why there was a target, what the motive was for this crime?" Questions Holbrook said investigators are trying to answer.

Now a 42-year-old man, a husband and friend to many who worked at the dealership is gone.

Channel 2 Action News arrived at the scene shortly after Gainesville police called in the GBI.
The investigation revealed a pickup truck was missing.

Investigators believe the person or persons who shot Charles Weaver stole a red 2009 Nissan Frontier and took off.

"We're certain that this vehicle should stick out to motoring public as it does have marking on it," Holbrook said.

The logos include several car brands, a phone number and dealership website.

In addition to all the logos, drivers should also look for Georgia tag BSA-7013.

"If you do happen to make contact with this vehicle or the individual in this vehicle, please contact 911 and consider them armed and dangerous," Holbrook said.

Kavanaugh spoke to the manager of the dealership. He said they consider themselves one big family here and this loss has simply devastated them.

The manager did not want to talk on camera, but said the dealership is offering a $10,000 reward to try to spur this investigation along.