In the summer of 2014, a dispute at a mobile home park in Bainbridge, Georgia, tragically cut short the life of 31-year-old Chris Strickland. A white male, Strickland was fatally shot on July 29, 2014, at the Shady Acres Mobile Home Park. The events of that day stemmed from an argument involving William Leroy Wimberly and Chris's brother, Josh Strickland.
The initial confrontation led to Wimberly, who was reportedly intoxicated, being removed from the Stricklands' residence. However, the situation escalated dramatically when Wimberly returned to the mobile home park shortly after, this time armed with a pistol. An altercation ensued, and in the ensuing struggle, Chris Strickland was shot in the chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene. During the fight, Chris's brother, Joshua, managed to gain control of the weapon and shot Wimberly, who was subsequently hospitalized with a gunshot wound.
Following an investigation by the Decatur County Sheriff's Office, William Leroy Wimberly, who was 50 years old at the time of his sentencing, was arrested and charged in connection with Chris Strickland's death. In a bench trial held the following summer, Wimberly was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
In September 2015, a judge sentenced Wimberly to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, with an additional five years for the firearm charge. During the emotional sentencing hearing, Chris Strickland's father, Larry, spoke about the profound impact his son's death had on their family, particularly on Chris's two young children, a son and a daughter. The court denied a request for bond for Wimberly pending an appeal.
