Toccoa Man Charged in Shooting Death of Demorest Man

A Toccoa man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting on Easter Sunday, April 4.

In a press release issued early Tuesday morning, Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said in the early morning hours of Sunday, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 150 Welcome Road, in Eastanollee regarding shots fired.

While deputies were en route to the Welcome Road address, 911 dispatch reported that a subject had been shot and the suspect had left in a white Ford Ranger.

As deputies were on their way to Welcome Road, they saw a white Ford Ranger parked at the Citgo gas station at 1200 Big A Road.

Toccoa Police were notified and detained the suspect at the gas station.

Meantime, when deputies got to the Welcome Road residence they found a gunshot victim in the driveway.

Officers immediately began first aid but the victim succumbed to his injuries.  He is identified as  27-year-old Cody Jacob Stancil of Demorest.

Agents with the GBI’s Cleveland office were then called in to assist in the investigation.

Sheriff Shirley said that investigation revealed that there had been an altercation at the Welcome Road residence and that 19-year old Spencer Ray Reason allegedly fired one shot at Stancil.

A further investigation by Toccoa Police revealed that Reason was the driver of the white Ford Ranger parked at the Citgo gas station, and was in possession of a .38 revolver, as well as one spent shell casing which they found on his person.

Reason was placed under arrest and charged with Murder and Possession of a firearm during the commission of a Felony. He is being held in the Stephens County Jail.

He had a first court appearance Monday where bond was denied.