Hall County woman charged with murder in deadly overnight shooting

A 61-year-old woman from Gainesville, Suzanne Renee Mericle, has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting on Saturday morning, as reported by the Hall County Sheriff's Office. The incident took place around 1:15 a.m. when deputies arrived at a residence on Bayridge Drive.

Upon arrival, authorities discovered a 68-year-old man, identified as James David Barron, unresponsive in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to his torso. He was subsequently transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators believe that Mericle shot Barron with a handgun. The couple was reportedly in a relationship and living together at the home where the incident occurred. When deputies arrived, Mericle was present at the scene and was taken into custody.

In addition to the charge of felony murder, Mericle faces charges of aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. She is currently being held without bond at the Hall County Jail.