A Gainesville man died following a fight with two friends last week, and now the two friends are facing charges.
Derreck Booth, spokesman for the Hall County Sheriff's Office, said the incident happened on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the victim's home.
"Gainesville Police Department officers responded to the home in the 1500 block of Old Athens Road early Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, and performed CPR on the victim, John Aaron McMurray, 24," Booth wrote in an email statement. "Gainesville Fire Department personnel arrived and took over life-saving efforts."
Despite the attempts to revive him, McMurray died on the scene.
Because the residence was located in unincorporated Hall County, deputies with the Hall County Sheriff's Office were called to investigate. Booth said they arrived at the home around 3:20 a.m.
"According to initial details, McMurray and two friends, identified as Zachery Duane Russell, 28, of Flowery Branch, and John Marlin King Jr., 30, of Winder, were involved in a physical fight at McMurray’s residence," Booth said. "During the altercation, McMurray became unresponsive."
Both King and Russell were arrested the morning of the fight. The men remained in the Hall County Jail at last check.
"King is charged with battery and aggravated assault. Russell faces charges of battery and party to the crime of aggravated assault," Booth said.
McMurray's body was sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy and toxicology tests. The results of the tests are pending, according to Booth.
