Shannon Box, 56 of Tignall
Here is what we know so far about 56 year-old Shannon James Box, a Tignall man being held at the Wilkes County jail after an overnight manhunt Thursday night by Wilkes County deputies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Box is charged with three counts of murder, three counts of possession of a weapon during a crime, and one count of felony aggravated assault on a fourth person Thursday on Mallorysville Road in northeastern Wilkes County.
The victims are identified as Chauncey Box, 55, of Tignall, Brenda Lipscomb, 67, of Tignall, and Michael Schmidt, 55, of Tignall.
Wilkes County Coroner Dan Wright confirmed to WRDW News yesterday morning three persons were “killed by assault.” Box was being sought by local authorities and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation overnight; he was apprehended just before 8:30 Friday morning. He was caught after the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office got a report around 8 a.m. that he’d been seen near Danburg Road. Deputies responded and found him at a church on Jones Chapel Road, where he was taken into custody without incident.
According to the GBI, at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday December 5, 2024, Wilkes County deputies responded to the 900 block of Mallorysville Road in Tignall, Wilkes County, GA, regarding an injured woman. Deputies learned the woman had been injured at another home on Mallorysville Road. When deputies responded to the second home they found three victims dead inside. The injured woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Preliminary information revealed that Box attacked the woman causing several injuries.
Over a period of years, Box lived at addresses in Rayle and Lexington. During his time in Oglethorpe County — according to GBI records — Box was arrested and charged with burglary by the Oglethorpe Co. Sheriff’s Office in 2003; he was found guilty and fined $100 in November, 2003. In 2005, he was arrested and convicted for motor vehicle theft, a felony carrying a five-year sentence; he apparently was placed on probation (file# 950500 - 000523).
Georgia Department of Corrections records show Box was sentenced in November, 2006 to one year for theft by taking in Oglethorpe County (case # 732751); in addition he received a sentence of up to 12 years for “burglary before 2012”; in July, 2011 he was incarcerated at the Coastal Transition Center in Savannah and released in October, 2014. Read more about the prior sentences here.
Earlier this year, Box was reported missing near Tallulah Falls in Rabun County. His vehicle was left unattended in a parking area at the state park, and when he failed to return the next day, a search was undertaken by local authorities.
He was last seen Oct. 28 on Jane Hurt Yarn Drive near Tallulah Gorge. Park rangers conducted a brief search, then contacted the Sheriff’s office. The Rabun County Search and Rescue team was brought in to conduct a thorough search of the gorge. Despite their efforts, including foot searches and drone surveillance, officials initially could not locate him.
Authorities did not say how or where he was found; once he was located, Box was charged by Georgia Department of Natural Resources with a variety of violations, including trespass on a state park and held briefly by Rabun County authorities.
According to undated comments on FaceBook, Box recently had been seen in Washington: “ He stayed at the Quality Inn in Washington this past weekend and checked out Sunday, going to church. The church helped him fix his truck and paid for his room. We did see him anymore after Sunday. He was in good spirits.
“Yes, He was at church Sunday. He came to Bible study with us last Wednesday also. I didn't see him at Bible study last night though.”
Written by Richard Crabbe
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