Sheriff’s deputies and emergency medical personnel from the Buford Volunteer Fire Department and Baxter Regional Medical Center responded to 124 Amarillo Lane in the rural Buford area at approximately 2:42 PM this afternoon on a reported shooting incident. 

     The caller informed dispatchers that he received a text from his son indicating that he intended to inflict harm upon himself and reporting that a .22 caliber firearm was missing from the house.  

     While responders were enroute to the residence, it was reported that a gunshot had been heard.  Just prior to arrival of responders, the caller informed dispatchers that he had located his son by a barn that is near the residence, and that his son had a gunshot wound to the abdomen.  Responders found the victim and began administering first aid.  A .22 caliber rifle was found and taken into evidence. 

     The victim, identified as 26 year old Randy Wayne Johnson, was transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center by ambulance for treatment.  He appeared to have sustained injury from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to his lower abdomen.  

     He is under care of Baxter Regional Medical Center at this time, and his condition is undetermined.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff