Police search for person of interest after man shot, killed outside Ga. restaurant

COMMERCE, Ga. — Commerce police have identified a person of interest after a man was shot and killed Sunday morning outside a Hardee’s restaurant.

Police say just after 7 a.m. Calvin Varnum, 72, was shot outside the restaurant on Homer Road.

Varnum was resuscitated by a neighbor and was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center by EMS where he died from his injuries a short time later.

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Police say they want to speak with 23-year-old Xavier Clark regarding Varnum’s death. Clark was last seen driving a Blue Dodge Journey with Georgia tag, CKP9568.

The vehicle was last seen driving north on Homer Road away from downtown Commerce.

Police say Clark is only a person of interest, they do not have warrants for his arrest in relation to the shooting.

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting Commerce police in the investigation.

Anyone with information or the possible identity of the suspect is asked to contact Sgt. Adam King at 706-335-1847 or can send him an email here.

Anonymous tips can be submitted via email.

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The owner of Skate-a-Rama USA in Commerce is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for Varnum’s death.

The reward was initially $500 but has increased to over $7,400 after others donated to the effort.

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