Jackson County Authorities Make Arrest in Sunday’s Hardee’s Shooting Death

Authorities in Jackson County have charged a person of interest in the death of a 72-year-old Commerce man.

On Monday, investigators arrested 23-year-old Xavier Clark in connection with the shooting death of Calvin Varnum at the Commerce Hardee’s Sunday.

“At 11:00 pm on May 21, Jackson County Deputies received information about the location of Xavier Clark. Deputies located Clark traveling North on Hwy 441 in the area of Nicholson. Clark was stopped by Jackson County Deputies and Commerce Police Officers while driving a blue Dodge Journey
near the intersection of Hwy 441 and Berea Rd. Clark was arrested during the traffic stop for an outstanding warrant unrelated to this murder investigation,” said Commerce Police in a press release.

Clark had initially been listed as a person of interest but was arrested early Monday morning.

According to Commerce Police, at approximately 7:30 am Sunday morning, Calvin Varnum, 72, was shot outside of the Hardees in Commerce on Homer Rd.

Varnum was resuscitated at the scene by a good Samaritan and then transported to NE Georgia Medical Center by EMS where he, a short time later, died from his injuries.

A dark blue Dodge Journey matching one driven by Clark was captured on Hardee’s surveillance cameras leaving the scene shorting after the shooting.

As a result of the investigation by the Commerce Police Department and the GBI, Xavier Clark has been charged with Felony Murder, Malice Murder, Aggravated Assault, and two
counts of Cruelty to Children(2″l degree),” The press release stated.

Late Sunday, the owners of Skate-A-Rama USA in Commerce offered a reward, funded by other local businesses for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for Varnum’s death.

Varnum, known to local businesses as Mr. Calvin, was a much-loved regular at the Commerce Hardee’s.

By mid-day Monday, a candle-lit shrine had been set up at the Hardee’s where people had begun leaving flowers and posting messages.

Skate-A-Rama USA asked people also donate money to help the family pay for Varnum’s funeral.