Georgia man accused of killing mom, stepdad in Oconee County

OCONEE COUNTY, Ga. - The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said they arrested a man suspected of killing his mother and step-father early Tuesday morning.

Police in Athens-Clarke County arrested Peyton Moyer, who is suspected of killing Ashley Schutza and Benjamin Smith.

"It's a terrible, terrible thing that happened," Sheriff James Hale said. 

Investigators found the two victims dead from apparent gunshot wounds at around 12:22 a.m. on Tuesday at a home on Boldercrest Circle. Investigators were responding to a report of a shooting. 

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Investigators said Moyer had fled the scene in a car that belonged to a victim.

"There were two siblings that were still there at the residence that gave us the suspect's name and information," Sheriff Hale said. 

Tuesday morning wasn't the first time deputies got called to this house.

"We've had some encounters with him before. We've had several calls out to that residence and at a different residence in the county when they lived in another location," the sheriff detailed. 

According to Moyer's jail records, he was arrested in March and charged with criminal trespass - family violence and violating a family violence order. 

Athens police found him and arrested him after a short pursuit, officials said.  

Deputies have charged Moyer with two counts of murder and cruelty to children.

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