Howard “Benji” Hartley, 57, is accused of killing a 23-year-old around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, allegedly during an illegal hunt in Wheeler County.
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Author: Lars Lonnroth
Published: 11:40 AM EDT September 29, 2026
Updated: 11:40 AM EDT September 29, 2026
WHEELER COUNTY, Ga. — A man accused of killing a 23-year-old during an illegal Wheeler County hunt over the weekend is dean of students at the county high school, according to the Wheeler County School Superintendent.
According to Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office records, 57-year-old Howard Benji Hartley is facing three charges: felony involuntary manslaughter, hunting from a vehicle and hunting on or across a public road.
Wheeler County School Superintendent C. Alex Alvarez confirmed on Tuesday that Hartley serves as the high school’s dean of students.
Alvarez says Hartley is on personal leave after his arrest.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division says a 23-year-old was shot and killed during an illegal hunt that involved five people.
RELATED: 23-year-old fatally shot in illegal hunting activity in Wheeler County, Georgia DNR says
The shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. Saturday near Spring Hill Road, according to the release.
The Department of Natural Resource’s Critical Incident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation
Under Georgia law, a person has committed felony involuntary manslaughter when they cause the death of another person, without any intention to do so, during the commission of an unlawful act.
If convicted, Hartley faces up to 10 years in prison, according to the statute. He faces a minimum sentence of one year.
13WMAZ’s Madisyn Rix is speaking with Alvarez Tuesday. She’ll have more information tonight on 13WMAZ.com, on 13WMAZ+ and during the news at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.