McCaysville Officer Critically Wounded; Suspect at Large

Lead A McCaysville police captain was shot in the face while responding to reports of a suspicious person late Friday night, and the armed suspect remains at large Saturday morning in Fannin County.

Nut Graf Captain Brantley Worley, a three-year veteran of the McCaysville Police Department, was airlifted to a Chattanooga hospital in critical condition after sustaining a broken neck and brain bleed. The shooting underscores rising dangers faced by small-town law enforcement and has prompted a multi-agency manhunt.

Shooting and Response

• Officers were dispatched just after midnight to First Street on reports of a suspicious individual.
• Upon arrival, the suspect opened fire, striking Captain Worley in the face.
• Worley was immediately transported by helicopter to a regional trauma center.

Manhunt Underway

• The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, and local agencies joined the search.
• Authorities have identified the suspect as 26-year-old Timothy Craig Ramsey, described as 5′11”, 185 lbs, last seen in a green shirt, dark pants, and a motorcycle helmet.
• Residents are urged to report tips to the McCaysville Police Department or Fannin County 911; Ramsey is considered armed and dangerous.

Community Reaction

• McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley appealed for prayers for Worley, his family, and the department.
• Governor Brian Kemp called on Georgians to unite in prayer for the injured officer and all law enforcement protecting their communities.

Next Steps

• Investigators continue to canvass neighborhoods and review surveillance footage.
• Roadblocks and checkpoints have been established along the Georgia-Tennessee border.
• Updates will be provided as the search progresses and new details emerge.