A homeowner at prestigious Reynolds Lake Oconee, a gated community formerly known as Reynolds Plantation, called 911 early Tuesday to say he shot an intruder who ended up dying in his home.
The alleged intruder turned out to be a good friend of his, and by Tuesday night the GBI had obtained an arrest warrant for murder against the homeowner.
RELATED: Inside exclusive Lake Oconee community, another confounding mystery
Chad Haufler Sr., 45, is accused of causing the death of Marc Dimos, 51, of Minerva, Ohio, the agency said. Haufler is from the Ocala, Fla., area, but also has the Reynolds Lake Oconee residence, according to officials.
He is being held in the Greene County Jail, records show. No bond has been set.
Greene County Sheriff Donnie Harrison and GBI investigators told Channel 2 Action News they doubted a home invasion actually happened.
“From the point of the initial phone call to 911 to when he was questioned by investigators — there were things that led us to believe that what he said did not take place,” Harrison said.
The sheriff’s office called in the GBI about 6:30 a.m. after Haufler, a retired firefighter from Florida, called 911 to report the shooting, the GBI said.
On the 911 call, obtained by Channel 2, Haufler can be heard saying: “There's about three persons in my house trying to kill me. And I'm going to defend myself.”
The incident took place at a spacious home in the 1000 block of Jones Bluff Court. It’s about 80 miles east of downtown Atlanta.
RELATED: Beheading of 88-year-old man, killing of wife remain unsolved, haunts Georgia sheriff
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Deputies said they found Dimos’ body in the basement. Haufler was then taken to the sheriff’s office for questioning.
Manny Arora, Haufler’s attorney, told Channel 2 the two were good friends who visited each other often.
“They were very good friends,” Arora said. “They’ve been hunting and fishing together. The victim has come to his house in Florida, and he was obviously with him in Georgia.”
Haufler and Dimos were Facebook friends. Just five weeks ago, the victim posted a comment under a photo on the suspect’s page.
“I think they were just a couple of guys hanging out, eating steak, enjoying life and probably drinking a little too much,” Arora said. “That’s the best I can tell you right now.”
Dimos’ body was taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office in Decatur for an autopsy, which has been completed, the GBI confirmed. However, they wouldn’t release any preliminary findings since this is an ongoing investigation.
About the Authors
