A 19-year-old man was found shot to death in an outbuilding behind a Thomaston residence Thursday evening, and authorities have detained a 14-year-old boy in connection with the killing.
The Upson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a person shot at 2030 Wiley Street in Thomaston at 6:31 p.m. on February 19, 2026, and upon arrival, deputies discovered Conner Walker inside a small structure on the property suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Sheriff Dan Kilgore confirmed that Walker had been shot with an AR-15-style rifle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, a 14-year-old boy was quickly located and is being held in connection with the shooting. Investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence as they work to determine the circumstances that led to a teenager being fatally shot with a high-powered rifle. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to process evidence and assist local authorities with the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.
The incident unfolded on a quiet residential street in Thomaston, a city of approximately 9,000 residents located about 70 miles south of Atlanta. The property at 2030 Wiley Street, where Walker’s body was discovered in an outbuilding behind the main residence, has become a focal point of the investigation as authorities piece together what happened in the hours leading to the shooting. Neighbors in the area reported seeing law enforcement activity throughout the evening as deputies secured the scene and gathered evidence.
Sheriff Dan Kilgore released a statement through the department’s Facebook page confirming the teen’s identity and providing initial details about the arrest. “Sheriff’s investigators are actively interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence in this case,” Kilgore wrote, adding that the GBI had responded to work the crime scene.
The decision to hold a 14-year-old in connection with the death of a 19-year-old has raised questions about the nature of the relationship between the two individuals, though authorities have not released information regarding what led to the shooting or whether charges have been formally filed.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral expenses for Conner Walker, who was described by those who knew him as a young man with his entire life ahead of him. The fundraiser aims to alleviate some of the financial burden on his family as they grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a loved one. The Upson County community has begun rallying around Walker’s family, offering support and condolences during this unimaginably difficult time.