On the night of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, gunfire on Terrell Street in Claxton, Georgia, left 48-year-old Jonathan Gaines with multiple gunshot wounds. He was found inside a vehicle; another person in the vehicle was treated at a local hospital and released. A 911 call came in at about 10:55 p.m. and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked to assist the Claxton Police Department.

Gaines was taken to a Savannah hospital and placed on life support. Initial GBI messaging mistakenly reported his death on February 13, 2026, then was corrected on February 14 to say he remained alive and critical; the GBI apologized to the family for the error. The shooting remains under investigation and no suspects or arrests have been announced. Funeral services were scheduled with a viewing on February 27 and a celebration of life on February 28, 2026.

If anyone saw activity on Terrell Street that night or has information about this shooting, please contact the Claxton Police Department or the GBI.