Homicide on Holly Springs Road

Carroll

Hightower

Nicholson

(Paulding County, GA) On January 20, 2017 at approximately 4:17 am a 911 call was placed to Paulding E-911 reference a possible shooting on Holly Springs Road. When Deputies arrived they discovered a white male that was deceased in a ditch as a result of a gunshot wound. Detectives were able to determine that the male victim was riding a motorcycle at the time he was shot. The incident took place in the area of 1680 Holly Springs Road Rockmart, GA which is within Paulding County. Since the family has been notified, we can release that the victim in this case is Ronald Chadwick Morgan, W/M, 31 YOA. We can also confirm that Morgan was a resident of Paulding County and lived in the area of the incident.
Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division, Deputies with the Warrants Division, Deputy Marshals with the United States Marshal’s Service Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and Agents with the Haralson-Paulding Drug Task Force worked relentlessly to find the suspects responsible for this murder. The below listed suspects were arrested and all charged with Felony Murder this weekend in connection to the Friday morning shooting. They are all being held in the Paulding County Detention Center with no bond.

• James Austin Nicholson W-M, 22 YOA of Rockmart, GA (Polk County)
• Carlos Fredrico Hightower B-M, 26 YOA of Rockmart, GA (Paulding County)
• Magan Darleen Carroll W-F, 24 YOA of Rockmart, GA (Paulding County)

At this time, Detectives believe that the murder was a result of an ongoing dispute between the victim and the suspects over property. Detectives also indicated as the investigation continues, more charges are possible. Detectives want to encourage anyone who may have been in the area this morning, or anyone who may know anything about this incident, to call the Criminal Investigations Division of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at (770) 443-3015.