Cobb County Police say 46-year-old golfer Gene Siller was shot in the head by an unknown gunman Saturday at the Atlanta suburbs at Pinetree Country Club after “witnessing an active crime”
The mystery of the murder of a golfer at a Georgia country club deepens after police revealed that the other two men who were also shot were residents of outside of the state with no known ties to the area.
Cobb County Police say 46-year-old professional golfer Gene Siller was shot in the head by an unidentified gunman on Saturday at Pinetree Country Club in suburban Atlanta after “witnessing an active crime”.
Siller, who was the club’s golf director and married father of two, did not play at the time but went to the 10th hole after hearing that a white Ram 3500 pickup truck was being driven onto the course by the suspect.
Police believe Siller was shot dead as he approached the truck that got stuck in a sand trap. His body was found on the green near the vehicle when the police arrived.
The bodies of two other men – Paul Pierson, 76, of Kansas; and Henry Valdez, 46, of California – were then found in the back of the truck after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The truck driven by the shooter was registered on Pierson.
Pierson and Valdez were from abroad and, according to police, had no known ties to the area or the country club.
It is not clear whether Pierson and Valdez knew each other. Pierson is said to have been in Atlanta on business, according to family friends.
Police have not confirmed whether the crime Siller witnessed was the killing of the two men or some other crime. Other golfers at the scene remembered hearing five or six shots.
Siller, who was the club’s golf director and married father of two, did not play at the time but went to the 10th hole after hearing that a white Ram 3500 pickup truck was being driven onto the course by the suspect
Siller was the club’s golf director and married father of two. He leaves his wife Ashley and their two sons aged 6 and 7
Pinetree reopened the golf course on Wednesday and Siller’s widow Ashley laid flowers on the 10th hole where her husband was murdered. According to the club, the hole remains closed for the time being against payment
The shooter, whom police say has still not been identified, fled the scene before authorities arrived and remains on the run five days after the triple murder.
The public safety bureau at nearby Kennesaw State University had issued a warning immediately after the shooting describing the suspect as a 6-foot-1-inch Hispanic man with long hair, dark work pants, and a white or tan shirt.
When police were contacted by DailyMail.com on Thursday, police denied having a suspicious description and said they are still investigating who was responsible.
Other nearby law enforcement agencies said they did not issue any warnings about the shooter at the time because the suspect’s description was too vague.
Police said they are still trying to investigate a motive for the triple murder and, although the shooter is still at large, insisted that there is no “active threat to the general public”.
In the days leading up to the incident, Siller had confronted a man who had been fishing on the golf course and the man was so excited that Siller called the police, reports Fox 5 Atlanta.
It is unclear whether the incidents are related.
The police have given few details about the investigation.
“We recognize that the public has many questions, the most pressing being why this happened; However, it is too early in the investigation to speculate on the motive, “police said in a statement.
Georgia police say pro golfer Gene Siller (left and right) was not targeted but was killed for witnessing an ongoing crime Saturday
Siller leaves behind his wife and two young children (pictured together)
Siller only stopped by the square on Saturday to remind employees that the driving range would be used to set off fireworks on July 4th. He was the golf director of the Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw (above)
Pinetree reopened the golf course on Wednesday and Siller’s widow Ashley laid flowers on the 10th hole where her husband was murdered, according to 11Alive.
According to the club, the hole remains closed for the time being against payment.
Siller stopped by Saturday to remind staff that the driving range would be used to set off fireworks for July 4th, instructor Corey Evans of the Atlanta Journal Constitution told.
Evans said the club “flourished” under Siller’s leadership.
“That’s the most members the club has ever had.”
The Georgia State Golf Association recognized Siller, “All of us at GSGA are deeply saddened by the tragic events that happened at Pinetree CC today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene Siller’s family and friends. ‘
The Georgia PGA also posted a statement on Twitter expressing condolences: “Tragedy has befallen the Georgia Section PGA in the loss of our member Gene Siller. Thoughts and prayers for his family and the Pinetree Country Club family. ‘
Siller leaves behind his wife and their two young sons, aged 6 and 7.
A GoFundMe set up to support his family had raised more than $ 620,000 as of Thursday.
His funeral has been arranged for next Monday.
