Dennis Wayne Blue Kitchens, 51, of Thomson, Georgia, died from a gunshot wound on May 27, 2021. Family memorials describe him as born in Augusta and known as Blue, remembered for cutting hair, fishing, grilling, and loving his family.

According to reporting at the time, Kitchens arrived at University McDuffie Hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach at about 5:30 p.m. Deputies from the McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office responded to the hospital and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was called in. Investigators determined the shooting occurred at a home in the 1800 block of Hamilton Drive in Thomson, and Kitchens was later transferred to Augusta University Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Authorities said Robert Lee Neal Sr., 59, drove Kitchens to the hospital and left before deputies arrived; investigators went to Neal’s home on Hamilton Drive and concluded the shooting had occurred there. Neal was arrested and charged with felony murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or first offender, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain felonies, and felony tampering with evidence, and bond was denied.

If anyone knew Dennis Kitchens or has information about what happened that afternoon, please share what you know.