By Beth Alston

AMERICUS — A suspect in a shooting death on Mask Road Wednesday night has been taken into custody and is charged with aggravated assault and felony murder.
Christopher Shane Hale, 38, of Americus was in jail Friday afternoon awaiting his first appearance before a judge after having turned himself in to authorities around lunch time on Thursday.
The charges stem from the shooting death of Jarvis Willis, 32, of 102

Sandstone Drive, Americus. Willis’ body was discovered in the roadway at Greystone mobile home park on Mask Road between 11:30 and 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to authorities.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Col. Eric Bryant said the investigation was conducted by the Region 3 Americus Office of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the sheriff’s investigative decision.
Bryant said that Hale lives at 745 Mask Road, about 40 yards from where Willis was found in the roadway. Mask Road was closed until early afternoon Thursday as investigators collected dozens of rounds fired at the location.
Bryant told the Times-Recorder that Willis apparently walked to where the shooting was occurring and was caught in the gunfire. He also said other suspects are being sought by authorities and urges anyone with information to call the GBI Office at 229-931-2439 or Sgt. Matthew Holloway at the sheriff’s office at 229-924-4094.