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UPDATE: Man shoots woman, turns gun on himself
Shooter, victim both succumb to wounds
Crime scene tape
Updated: May 18, 2023, 8:36 PM
Published: May 17, 2023, 1:31 PM

LUDOWICI - Ludowici police are investigating a fatal late Tuesday night shooting after a man reportedly shot a woman he was riding with and then turned the gun on himself at a Ludowici service station.

According to Ludowici Police Chief Robert Parker, a couple pulled into a Cypress Street gas station around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The man, a passenger in the vehicle, got out of the vehicle and brandished a handgun. He fired one round at the woman in the driver’s seat. The round struck her in the head. He then pointed the weapon at his own head and fired.

The man, identified as Marquel Maurice Williams, 32, of Pembroke, died Wednesday evening. The woman, Tashika Jones, 47, of Savannah, died Thursday..

The store’s security system captured the shooting.

Lashon was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup while Williams was transported to Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville. They each were later transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.

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Polls open Tuesday for ESPLOST voting
Politics
Updated: Mar 17, 2025, 7:17 PM
Published: Mar 17, 2025, 6:30 PM

Voting for the education special local option sales tax renewal will take place Tuesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at precincts around the county.

The extension of the ESPLOST is the only issue on the ballot before voters. Several other counties also are conducting ESPLOST measures Tuesday.

The Liberty County School System has laid out a $112 million plan to be funded by ESPLOST proceeds, if it is passed.

Should ESPLOST VII be approved by Liberty County voters, the school system will use about $44 million of the money it provides from an extra penny on the sales tax for a new school.

Technology upgrades across the system are planned under ESPLOST, as are renovations to existing schools. The school system also intends to refresh its bus fleet with buying new buses.

Proceeds from ESPLOST cannot go toward such day-to-day operations as salaries or other compensation for school system employees.

There were 1,237 ballots cast in early voting, with 504 coming in the final week. The final day of early voting – March 14 – was the busiest, with 206 ballots cast. The current ESPLOST was passed in 2021 with 86% of the votes in favor of it.

ESPLOST ballot
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