safety
Georgia pastor killed while fixing church roof. Now, 30 years later, an arrest has been made
By Melanie McCrea at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 24, 2026
· 2 min read
Nearly three decades after a Georgia pastor was gunned down while repairing the roof of his church, investigators have made an arrest in the case.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday that Zachary B. Harper, 47, of Hazleh...
Key takeaway Harper, 47, of Hazlehurst, faces felony murder and malice murder charges in connection with the 1996 death of 54-year-old James Hand.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The arrest of Zachary B. Harper in connection with the 1996 murder of Pastor James Hand brings a measure of closure to the community, but also raises questions about the effectiveness of the investigation over the past three decades. The fact that Harper was already serving a life sentence for another murder suggests that he may have been a suspect worth exploring earlier. As the case moves forward, it will be worth watching how the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office handles the prosecution, particularly given the lengthy delay between the crime and the arrest. The GBI's continued pursuit of leads and information in this case demonstrates a commitment to justice, even in cold cases. Now, the community will be looking for a thorough and transparent accounting of the evidence that led to Harper's arrest, and for a sense of how this case might inform approaches to public safety in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Nearly three decades after a Georgia pastor was gunned down while repairing the roof of his church, investigators have made an arrest in the case.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Wednesday that Zachary B. Harper, 47, of Hazleh...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Melanie McCrea at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter