Sheriff: Woman killed by ex-co-worker Fred Whitmore in break-in

Oct 14, 2011 - 14:24
Apr 8, 2016 - 15:49
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Sheriff: Woman killed by ex-co-worker Fred Whitmore in break-in
Barbara Smith

A woman was killed in a shooting that the Cherokee County Sheriff is calling ”bizarre.

Georgia Newsday went to the home on Bethany Manor Way in Ball Ground, where the victim was found dead Friday.

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison, 53-year-old Barbara Smith dressed in camouflage and head gear staked out the home of a former co-worker from a mile away. When the homeowners wife left, the woman snuck into the house through the garage with a gun, Garrison said.

The homeowner, identified as Fred Whitmore, 54, and Smith struggled with the gun, and Smith was shot in the head, Garrison said.

Garrison said deputies haven’t determined the motive behind the break-in. It is also unclear if the relationship between the two was more than professional.

”The person that obviously knows the most about the situation is deceased, so it’s going to be a very difficult to ever determine exactly, 100 percent what the motive must have been, Garrison said.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.