Authorities say the Walton County shooting followed a family argument at a home near Oxford.
OXFORD, Ga. — A Georgia man was arrested after authorities said he fatally shot his wife and adult daughter during a family argument at a Walton County home on June 24.
Ralph Edward Mincey faces two murder counts and a weapons charge in the deaths of Jennifer Lynn Mincey, 57, and Amanda Mincey McBrayer, 37. The case has drawn attention after 911 recordings described a chaotic confrontation inside the family home and a confession call in which Mincey allegedly told a dispatcher he had “lost it.” Authorities said the investigation remains active.
Deputies were called Wednesday evening to a home on Gauntt Road in the Oxford area, about 40 miles southeast of Atlanta. When they arrived, they found McBrayer dead at the scene. Jennifer Mincey was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where she later died from her injuries. Walton County Sheriff Keith Brooks said in a statement that the sheriff’s office was “saddened by this senseless loss of life.” Mincey was taken into custody at the scene, authorities said.
In a 911 call reported by local and national outlets, Mincey allegedly told dispatchers the argument centered on claims that he was not caring for his elderly mother. He said he cared for her every day and became overwhelmed by yelling and accusations. During the call, he allegedly said he shot both women with a 9 mm handgun and repeatedly expressed regret. The recordings also captured him speaking about his 38-year marriage and saying he loved his wife.
Another 911 call came from McBrayer’s husband, who said he witnessed the shooting and fled because he needed to protect two children. He told dispatchers that his wife had gone to her parents’ house upset before the confrontation escalated. He said Mincey threatened to use a gun, then shot McBrayer. He also said Mincey grabbed Jennifer Mincey and threatened her before he ran from the home. Authorities have not released a full timeline of every moment before deputies arrived.
The shooting shook the rural Walton County community, where deputies and emergency crews responded to what officials described as a domestic violence scene. The home is in the Gauntt Road area near Oxford, a small city east of Atlanta and north of Covington. Officials identified McBrayer as Mincey’s daughter and Jennifer Mincey as his wife. Investigators have not said whether anyone else was physically hurt during the shooting or whether the children witnessed the gunfire.
Mincey was booked on two counts of murder and a weapons possession charge, according to reports citing the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Court records and future hearings are expected to outline the formal allegations against him, including whether prosecutors seek additional charges. No plea had been reported. The case is expected to move through Walton County courts as investigators review emergency calls, witness statements, physical evidence and medical findings.
The 911 recordings have become a key part of the public account of the case because they include statements attributed to Mincey and to McBrayer’s husband. Investigators often use such calls to build a timeline, confirm locations and compare witness accounts. Officials have not released all evidence gathered from the home, and several details remain unknown, including what happened in the minutes before the first shot and whether there had been prior calls to the address.
As of June 29, Mincey remained accused in the killings, and the sheriff’s office had not announced that the investigation was closed. The next major step is expected in court, where charging documents and hearing dates will set the pace of the case.