Story by Donna Thornton, donna@southerntorch.com

DeKalb County investigators are looking for answers in the shooting death Thursday of a Mentone man, according to DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden.

DeKalb County 911 got the call at 6:16 p.m., that a vehicle had hit a residence in the 3000 block of U.S. Highway 117 in Mentone, and that the man inside the vehicle had been shot.

Marcus Adam Battles, 38, of Mentone, was shot and killed Thursday evening, DeKalb County Coroner Tom Wilson said.

Mentone Police, DeKalb County deputies, Dekalb Ambulance Service, and Mentone Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. Upon arrival, first responders rendered immediate aid to the victim, but Battles died on scene as a result of his injuries.

Deputies then secured the scene and the Dekalb County Criminal Investigation Unit

responded along with Jacksonville State University’s Center for Applied Forensics. Battles’ death was ruled a homicide and is under investigation.

 “This was such a senseless act of violence that took a man’s life and changed one family forever,” Welden said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Battles family and friends.” Family members described the shooting as a “presumed road rage incident” in a gofundme page established to raise money for funeral expenses.

The sheriff’s office has not indicated what might has sparked the incident.