Police say a victim’s son is in custody, while the motive, charges and events preceding the shooting remain undisclosed.
STONECREST, Ga. — DeKalb County investigators have made an arrest in Monday’s fatal shooting on Springfair Run, but authorities have released few details about what led to the death of 49-year-old William Geter III.
Police identified Geter III on Tuesday and said his 22-year-old son, William Geter IV, had been arrested. The department has described the shooting as a domestic situation, but investigators have not announced a motive, disclosed criminal charges or provided a detailed account of what happened before the shooting.
Officers were called shortly before 10:30 a.m. Monday to the 5900 block of Springfair Run in Stonecrest. Police initially reported that an adult had been shot and had died while investigators worked at the scene and sought more information about the circumstances.
During the early stage of the investigation, authorities said they were looking for a suspect. Detectives also sought information from a family member as they tried to determine what happened around the time of the shooting. Police had not yet publicly identified the victim or the person they were seeking.
By Tuesday morning, authorities released both names and said Geter IV was in custody. The update established the father-son relationship between the victim and suspect but left unanswered the central question of what investigators believe prompted the shooting.
Police have not publicly described an argument or other confrontation before the shooting. They also have not released a timeline showing the movements of either man before officers arrived or explained what evidence led detectives to identify Geter IV as the suspect.
Authorities have not said publicly whether a weapon was recovered or disclosed other physical evidence from the scene. No witness account or statement from Geter IV has been released. The limited information means the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain largely known only to investigators.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case, but an arrest does not establish guilt. Any criminal allegations would have to proceed through the court system, and police had not publicly specified the charges against Geter IV in the information available Wednesday.
The DeKalb County Police Department continues to investigate the shooting. Authorities have not announced a motive or released further details explaining the events that led to Geter III’s death.
Author note: Last updated Nov. 4, 2026.