In the quiet, early morning hours of February 25, 2017, in Grovetown, Georgia, a tragic series of events unfolded, leading to the death of 17-year-old Jordan Middleton, a male student from Grovetown High School. The incident began when Jordan was invited into the home of a 14-year-old female classmate. Unbeknownst to her parents, she let him into the house.
The girl's father, Derrick Fulton, was awakened by the family's dog barking and the sound of noises downstairs. Believing an intruder had entered his home, he retrieved his handgun to investigate. Fulton reported that he called out, announcing that he was armed and demanding that the person identify themselves. Hearing no response, he proceeded to a guest bedroom where the dog's barking was directed.
As Fulton entered the room, he stated that Jordan ran out of a closet. In that moment, believing he was confronting a burglar, Fulton fired a single shot, striking the teenager in the chest. Emergency services were called to the home, and deputies arrived to find Fulton attempting to perform CPR on Jordan, who was lying in the foyer. Despite these efforts, Jordan Middleton was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the shooting. The incident was ruled a homicide by the county coroner. In the immediate aftermath, it was reported that Derrick Fulton was remorseful and that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity. After a thorough investigation of the circumstances, no charges were filed against Derrick Fulton in the death of Jordan Middleton. The case was considered a tragic accident resulting from the belief that he was protecting his family from an intruder.
