A suspect has been arrested and charged in the triple homicide that killed pro golfer Gene Siller on Saturday.
Bryan Anthony Rhoden, 23, was arrested at 5:30 p.m. EST. on Thursday in Chamblee, Georgia. According to Chief Tim Cox of the Cobb County Police Department, Rhoden has been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of kidnapping.
The triple homicide took place at the Pinetree Country Club near Kennesaw, Georgia. Siller was the director of golf at the country club.
Police arrived at the scene at about 2:20 p.m. local time on Saturday. Authorities found the body of Siller at the 10th hole with an “apparent gunshot wound to the head,” police said in a previous press release. The authorities found the bodies of Paul Pierson and Henry Valdez in the bed of the white pickup truck nearby, also with apparent gunshot wounds. Pierson was the owner of the truck.
Authorities said that around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Siller was walking towards the 10th hole at Pinetree when he saw a white Ram 3500 pickup truck on the course. The gunman shot Siller in the head and fled, leaving the truck on the course, authorities said. Police said that Siller was not the target but was killed because “he witnessed an active crime taking place.”
“We definitely feel confident there was no relationship between the shooter and Mr. Siller,” said Cox during Thursday’s news conference.
The police identified Rhoden as a “potential” suspect in the shooting shortly after. Police have described the suspect as the lone shooter of the triple homicide. Police declined to say how he became a suspect or how he was linked to the crime.
Georgia PGA and Georgia State Golf Association tweeted out condolences to the Siller family.
“We are truly heartbroken to hear about the senseless murder that took place yesterday at the Pine Tree Country Club in Georgia that took the life of PGA member Gene Siller,” PGA of America President Jim Richerson said in a statement. “PGA of America sends our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathy to his family, club, and the Georgia PGA community.”
Siller is survived by his wife and two children, aged 6 and 7. A Gofundme was set up for the family and has since raised more than $656,000.
