By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter
Thirty years after a Georgia pastor was gunned down while repairing the roof of his church, investigators have arrested a suspect in the cold case.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that 47-year-old Zachary B. Harper of Hazlehurst has been charged with one count of malice murder and one count of felony murder in the June 1, 1996, killing of Pastor James Hand.
Hand, 54, served as pastor of Full Gospel Church of Snipesville in Jeff Davis County. According to investigators, he was repairing the church roof when he was shot multiple times.
At the time, the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI’s assistance after Hand’s body was discovered.
“Shortly after discovering Hand’s body, JDCSO requested the GBI to assist with the investigation,” GBI added. Additional information received 30 years after the investigation has now “led to Harper being charged in connection with Hand’s death.”
“Over the past 30 years, the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Douglas and the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office have remained committed to seeking answers in Hand’s death,” the state bureau continued.
Harper is already incarcerated at Jenkins Correctional Facility for an unrelated murder conviction, according to WSB-TV.
GBI confirmed that the investigation remains active and ongoing, adding that once it is complete, the case file will be given to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The Christian Post has requested additional details about the investigation.
Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman
