The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office has a person of interest in custody in connection with a Tuesday homicide in Caledonia, Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said at a Wednesday press conference at his office.
Deputies responded to 40 Grant Drive about 11 a.m. after a 911 call reporting someone was unresponsive. When they arrived they found Summer Danielle Tennyson, 39, dead, said Coroner Greg Merchant.
Merchant said Tennyson had suffered a single gunshot wound, and he believes the death occurred in the “early morning hours” that same day.
“We have not made an arrest, but we have a person of interest in custody on unrelated charges,” Hawkins said. “There is no danger to the public. This is an isolated incident.”
Hawkins would not release the name of the suspect yet, as he has not been charged, nor would he comment on his relationship to the victim. Hawkins did confirm the person of interest is male.
“They knew each other,” Hawkins said. “… We’re working our investigation from there to see what evidence we can find to link him back to this.”
There was no sign of forced entry, and it doesn’t appear there was a burglary, Hawkins said.
“Either the victim let the person in or the door was unlocked and they went into the residence,” Hawkins said. “We’re not sure which.”
Neither Hawkins nor Merchant would not comment on whether the body had any other injuries beyond the gunshot wound.
No weapon has been recovered, Hawkins said.
An autopsy has been scheduled for early next week at the state medical examiner’s office, Merchant said.
Anyone with knowledge of this case is asked to call the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 328-6788 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151, or use the P3 smartphone app. Tips remain anonymous, and if they lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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