G.B.I. probes into recent shooting deaths continue

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is continuing its probes into two shooting deaths in Cairo last month, one involving former Cairo Police Chief Keith Sandefur and the other involving two local brothers.

Sandefur died of a single gunshot wound at a law enforcement shooting range in Cairo, and 29-year-old Logan Bennett died of multiple gunshot wounds at a residence in Cairo. Although his brother, Cole Bennett, 22, has been identified as the shooter, no charges have been filed.

Nelly Miles, spokeswoman with the G.B.I., said Tuesday there are no new developments in the case involving Sandefur’s death. Agents out of the G.B.I.’s office in Sylvester are working to determine the “manner” of his death. Sandefur was under investigation by the G.B.I.’s Thomasville office when he died Thursday, Dec. 19. He had been arrested Nov. 2, 2019, on two counts of theft by conversion. In the wake of his arrest, Sandefur resigned as chief and agreed to retire from the city at year’s end. Sandefur was accused of using City of Cairo funds to purchase property that he then gave to a civilian associate.

Ms. Miles says the investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Jamy Steinberg, special agent in charge with the G.B.I. office in Thomasville, says the investigation into Bennett’s death is also continuing. He died early Sunday, Dec. 22. Bennett and his younger brother, Cole, were at 1290 Calvary Rd. S.W. when the shooting happened.

Steinberg has said that he is waiting to collect and then present all evidence to District Attorney Joe Mulholland to let him decide if any charges will be lodged.

Anyone with information regarding the Bennett case is asked to contact the GBI Thomasville Office at (229) 225-5090 or the Cairo Police Department.