A Thomaston man who shot and killed his mother in Upson County Wednesday night is employed by the City of Barnesville.
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God Bless You Chris.
.
To the first post about the locations of the shots.....if you take a handgun course for your certification for a carry permit or go through Law enforcement training you are taught to shoot for center mass to stop the threat......when you shoot to kill you aim for the head.
This has nothing to do with good ole boys. What he did is allowed by law. She came looking for a fight. """"""""""To amend Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to justification and excuse as a defense to certain crimes, so as to provide that a person who is attacked has no duty to retreat; to provide that such person has a right to meet force with force, including deadly force; to provide for civil immunity; to amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 51 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to defense to tort actions, so as to provide for civil immunity; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.""""""""""
There is a difference.
She did not break down the door, it was unlocked and Chris didn’t know it, she got to the door before he could even check to see if it was locked. All of this happened very quickly, from the time the first window was shattered to the point where Chris was looking down the barrel of a shotgun, there was not time to get to a phone and make a call.
He picked up his shotgun on the way through the sun room to the kitchen, by the time Chris got to the stove, she was in the room, she shouldered her gun, pointed it at Chris and stated that she intended to kill the entire family. Chris turned his head, closed his eyes, fully expecting to be shot, pointed the gun in her direction and squeezed the trigger.
It is very clear that you know little to nothing about firing an automatic shotgun and how in a situation like Chris was in the second shot was due more to the recoil and his finger still on the trigger than him making a conscious decision to fire again.
Now you can sit around and make up what ever your mentally capable of but these are the facts. Alcoholism is a disease that devastates families, mix in violence and the inability to admit that someone has a problem and needs help and you have the formula for tragedy. I have known Kathy since she was six years old and know what I'm talking about.
The only “good ole boy” in this is a father that was forced to protect his wife and son from the one person that should have loved him more than anyone on this earth, I only hope that I would have one tenth the courage exhibited by Chris if I’m ever confronted with making a decision like this.
By the way, I don’t want to hide behind an anonymous post, my name is Danny Bishop and I’m proud to say that I have know Chris since the day he was born.
slideshow By Larry Stanford
editorial1@thomastontimes.com
No charges are expected to be filed against a Thomaston man who shot and killed his mother after she burst into his house with a shotgun Wednesday night.
Chris Callahan shot his mother, Kathy Bridges, after she came through the kitchen door of Callahan’s home, making verbal threats and holding a shotgun. Bridges was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident happened at 1657 Highway 19 South, adjacent to Flint River Technical College.
According to Upson County Sheriff’s investigators, Bridges, 54, a fomer instructor of cosmetology at FRTC, lived next door to her son, his wife, and their four-year-old son. Apparently there had been communication between Bridges and Callahan and she was upset because they would not let her see her grandson, due to Bridges being intoxicated.
Investigators said after she made several threatening phone calls, Bridges went to her son’s house with a shotgun and shovel. She broke several windows in the house with the shovel, then hit the kitchen door several times before entering with the shotgun and making verbal threats.
Callahan confronted her with his own shotgun and fired two shots, killing his mother.
“It is an unfortunate incident, but seems to be a justifiable shooting,” said Upson County Chief Deputy Dan Kilgore. “When there is no alternative, you have to protect your family.”
For those that don't know Chris, he's a loving and kind father and was a very loving son. He did right by his mother in more ways than one thru her entire life. I can't count how many times we'd go to family gatherings where she'd be very intoxicated. But I had NEVER once seen Chris bad mouth his mother or treat her any less than she deserved. He never hid her, he ALWAYS tried to include her in every family function and always tried to take care of her. Infact on Mother's Day he tried to host a cook out and invite her to come and be with her grandchild and family. To have someone in your family who has a drinking problem is not an easy thing to go thru. But I always seen Chris stand by his mother. He was always grateful for the gifts and care she give him. And for the home that was provided. Explain to me why a man you all seem to try and paint as a horrible person would try so hard to get his mother help, and also try and get her come vist them for Mother's Day to be with him and her grandchild. I knew Kathy just as well as any of you, or the few you who claim you did. And I can personally say that the woman had Alcohol problem. I'm not saying she was a bad woman. When she was sober she was a good person, but alcohol can make even the sweetest and purest of people into a monster. And it can cloud the judgment of anyone, making you do actions and decisions you will spend the rest your life regretting, as well as your loved ones around you. You know they say an alcoholic not only hurts themselves, but the ones closest to them by their drinking.
Put yourself into a situation of Chris's nature. You have a choice of either letting someone shoot you, and then your wife and child. And then who knows where or what may have happen after that with her clouded judgment. Would you rather hear in the newspaper about the funeral of 4? Would any of you want it on Kathy's concious that she murdered her own son and his wife and grandchild? Because trust me thats got to be a heavy and horrible load to bear. I know Chris will spend the rest of his life with this decision, and wonder the rest of his life about what he did. Personally being this is my family, it hits US ALL close to home and its a shock to our core. But we understand that Chris was put in a horrible position. One that no man or woman ever wants to be in. And he had to make a decision that he will have to live with for the rest of his life. Trust me in that this isn't something you just forget over night. He will have to deal with the personal loss as well as the tragedy this has brought. I think Chris has more than paid his dues. If someone breaks into your home with a loaded weapon aimed at you, telling you they will shoot you and then your wife and child, will you stand idly? Will you tell them "Oh hold on a minute lemme call the cops before you do that?", because if so then your more a fool. You people want to rationalize a situation that had to be quick action and quick decisions and no time for sitting and thinking or logic. Chris was not given the time debate a idea. I'm sure you've ALL been put in situation that has required quick thinking. Sometimes later you wish you had made a different maybe better decision. But at the time you have to go with what you make and know that what you decide will be with you for the rest of your life. Chris had to make the decision to defend and protect not ONLY himself, but his wife and child. If he had decided to say tackle Kathy, what would stop her from taking an armed weapon and shooting him? What kind of tragedy would that bring then and what horrible comments would you people say towards someone killing their own son in a drunken rage. What would stopped her poor and clouded judgement from shooting his wife? his child? Kathy when she was sober was a good person, but anyone whose seen a drunk person knows that alcohol makes people into someone NONE of us recognize or know.
Chris know that your family and friends support and love you. And we will be there to help you as always. I am sorry for your pain as well as the decision you will have to live with. You're and always be a great and honorable man and someone I am still proud to call my uncle and my family. I know what you did was a hard thing, and I understand the pain you're going thru. Please keep your head up and know that you're very well loved.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you
Matt. 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
When was the last time you heard of anyone around these parts that wasn't arrested after they were involved in a killing? The fact that the Sheriff's Office didn't even have to take him in for questioning should tell you it was a 100% clear of a case of justified, self defense. Let me reiterate, you, #13, #15, #16, & #19 are idiots.
As for living high on hog, once again your wrong. We've all been pretty upset and at loss over this sad tragedy. And we've all been trying to help heal the hurt and mend things. I honestly wish people like you and others would take the time to think before you say such mindless words and spread such gossip. Honestly, if you were in that position yourself and done such a thing as Chris had to do, would you want your own child near an alcoholic with a weapon? Would you want to live your life knowing what you did? Because its a hard load to bear. And something he will pay for with the rest of his life and have to know what he did. Stop judging someone and assuming were all "livin high on the hog", we are just as equally upset as rest of yall.
As its been stated before and again this was just a tragedy. And something that was horrible. Nobody has profited from this situation, and there has been a loss in all of our hearts.
To the idiot who thinks that Chris' father -in-law being a retired state trooper had something to do with his "getting away"...I am flabergasted...Seriously? Chris did NOT "get away" with anything. But I will say as Matt did, he is a "good ol boy"...raised with a good head on his shoulder, good family man, good heart!!!
If any of you who are questioning these details, it is obvious that you don't even know Chris or Kathy well enought to be commenting....one visit to the scene and/or his mother's house would tell you that he has nothing to hide!!!! IDIOTS!
PEOPLE WITH NARROW MINDS USUALLY HAVE WIDE MOUTHS!!!
And I never ONCE seen Chris or Dawn do anything to her at any of these functions. Infact if I was in Dawn's position I'd never let my own child around a woman who was intoxicated for fear the damage it'd do to him or what kind memories he'd have of her. But everytime she did, every single family function Kathy was usually there. And usually with her beers. And never once did they bad mouth her, or mock her. You say how could son talk to his own mother, but did you ever see the things she sent him? The voicemails she left him? How could a mother talk like that to her son? How could mother tell her son she didn't love him or anyone and didn't need even her own grand son? Call them some the worst curse names I've EVER heard come a ladies mouth like that. You say ANY of those things to me and im more likely to be provoked into saying something back. So have you ever thought bout maybe what you were seeing on her end was provoked from her? My own father heard the messages she left Chris, and seen the things she done and said, and even he was upset to see and hear such things.
Kathy was never a conversation piece at any the functions I was at. And I was there plenty times when she invited. If we hated her so much, why would we invite her to come and hang out and eat? And spend time with her grandson? Seems like to me if I hate someone we'd never wanted her around, much less claim her as family and let her be around young children. But every event she was invited. Every social gathering she was invited. That event I mentioned where she nearly stumbled into the lake, I watched her down 3 beers in matter of a few minutes. Infact when she came back around the lake she had to have another. Kathy had a drinking problem that didn't just happen over night, and maybe she hid the extent of it well, but put this way. I've been in this world for 22 years. As long as I've been in this world, seen her, met her, and known her I've known bout her problem. I've never not seen the women without a beer in her hand, and a cooler nearby full of beer. Thats not a casual drinking, thats a problem. For someone have that kind of issue for that long is NEVER healthy or good. You all have seem to give Kathy a chance to for her side, but none tried listening to Chris and hearing his side. How about growing up with a alcoholic of a mother? And having to listen and hear the things she'd say and do when she wasn't sober. Would any of you want that for yourself or your own children? As I said when she was sober she was a kind and sweet woman. But when she wasn't she was a total and complete different person. And thats something that netheir a child or even a grandchild should have to be raised in, or see.
Nobody has me fooled, the things I've seen and heard I saw for myself. As for why Dawn wouldn't let her around her grandson, I don't blame her. I wouldn't want her around him for fear of the the way she might act intoxicated. Would you want a 4 year old to see his grandmother in that kind of state? Or even if she was just casually drinking, would you want that kind of thing around a small child. It basically saying that drinking is okay thing? And the things might come out of her mouth? I wouldn't. I'd rather that 4 year old have memories of her when she was sober, and sweet, and a loving grandmother who cared about him. Not when she was drunk and calling and leaving Chris messages saying she hated them all. When she came that night she wanted to kill her own grandchild. And if Chris had let her shoot him, what would happen next? What if she went in her state to kill Dawn and Christoper? Would you want that on her conscious? And would you want your friend to spend the rest of her life knowing what she did OR even what she attempted to do? Chris all my life has been nothing but kind and sweet and caring. He is a amazing father, and wonderful Uncle. I don't stand by him just because his family, because I'm one those when someone has done something wrong I will tell them, regardless if their family. But when a man is put in position of saving his wife and child, and saving ALL of us from going to a funeral of 3 or even maybe 4, I think instead of bad mouthing him, gossiping, and spreading slander you should atleast be grateful for the ones still alive. When comes down to it they found a shovel AND a gun she used and had with her. What sober woman busts out windows to a house and breaks into it with not only a shovel but a shot gun. That to me sounds of her having intent to do something. Doesn't sound very sweet and innocent to me. In the end tho this isn't about Chris. Or about Kathy. Its about a loss a family and friends will have in their lives as well as a reminder of what Alcohol can do to a family and tragedy it can bring as well as heart break. Instead of pointing fingers, instead of spreading slander, we should all come together to help heal. As I've said many times again, the times I did see her sober she was a good woman, but those times over the years became less and less. I hope that she found some peace, and I know she will be missed by her family as well as her friends. I have said my piece and don't feel the need post here any longer as im tired of seeing the horrible biased judgment and things said here. I hope many of your take the time to think over both sides, and not just be willing to just see one persons. I'm sure Chris may been guilty of saying some bad things and some bad actions, but Kathy was as well. There is always 2 sides to every story as well as 2 views. Think bout it yourself someday.
But one thing that is for sure, people who air their lifestyles or family details on a public forum such as this, with such personal and intimate details....well let's just say not only is that sick, but it reminds me of why this Country is going to shit.
It doesn't matter who did what to who or when it was done, it's really no ones business (especially not the whole worlds business). Those who condem the shooter, if you're not the officer who was called to the home when the incident occured....then who cares what you have to say.
To those who condem the mother.....if she was so bad, where were you when she needed help? If you didn't try to help her (if she was indeed an alcoholic) then your words are fruitless.
Many who have posted here remind me of all those back biting bitties who just LOVE to talk about others faults, with their snotty noses high in the air, who think they have no faults of their own. People like that are pure and outright disgusting.
If anyone comes into a home with a gun....regardless if they are relative or not, but if they arrive in anger (drunk or not), with a gun....that is intent to do harm, and I do not blame the man for protecting his wife and child.
It doesn't matter who the threatenting person is, and it doesn't matter if they have a bad past or not. Any decent parent would have done the same thing, they'd have protected first, faced the consequences later, and the only ones who have the right to determine the consequences are the officers in charge of the investigation, then the Judge and Jury if it goes that far!
The rest of you, pathetic.
You can't help anyone who won't help their self. They have to want alcohol or drug treatment. If they are forced they drop right back in their habit, or drug of choice.
Whether you realize it or not the law is watching these blogs. All they have to see is a statement contradicting what someone said to them, or someone confesses, threatens, drugs, torments, lures a child etc............
Their looking for any thing they can act on criminal. in most cases
This blog seems to have lured the family and friends into it. Just let someone say the right thing and watch what happens!