A Georgia man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting and killing his wife and adult daughter during a violent confrontation at their family home in Oxford, authorities announced.
Background
Ralph Mincey, 63, is accused of opening fire on Wednesday night at a residence on Gauntt Road in Oxford—a small community roughly 40 miles southeast of Atlanta. The Walton County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and found one victim deceased inside the home. A second victim, Mincey's wife, was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital where she later died from her injuries.
The investigation reveals a disturbing sequence of events that unfolded after what authorities describe as a family dispute. According to 911 recordings released Friday by the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Amanda McBrayer—Mincey's 37-year-old daughter—and her husband Adam McGrath had arrived at the residence after McBrayer became upset and wanted to return home.
"My wife was drunk, she was upset, she wanted me to bring her home," McGrath told a dispatcher in one of the recorded calls. "So I brought her to her parent's house and then she got into it with her dad."
The Investigation
Mincey now faces two counts of murder and a weapons possession charge in connection with the deaths of 57-year-old Jennifer Lynn Mincey, his wife of 38 years, and Amanda Mincey McBrayer, his daughter. He was arrested at the scene without incident.
911 recordings paint a harrowing picture of the moments before and after the shooting. In one call placed by Adam McGrath—the husband of victim Amanda McBrayer—audio reveals he witnessed part of the attack unfold.
"He just shot my wife in the head," McGrath said, according to audio obtained by Atlanta-based NBC affiliate WXIA. "I literally ran away because I had two kids I've got to protect, and I'm scared to go back up there."
According to authorities, the argument between Mincey and his daughter escalated rapidly. The defendant allegedly told investigators that Jennifer Lynn Mincey had informed Amanda that he 'didn't take care of my mother'—a criticism he claimed was false.
"I just – I couldn't handle no more the f—ing lying and the way they were screaming at me," Mincey reportedly told a 911 dispatcher during his own call from the scene. "I don't know, I just, I lost it. I'm so sorry. Thirty-eight years, I love her."
Key Takeaways
- Ralph Mincey, 63, has been charged with two counts of murder and weapons possession following the deaths of his wife Jennifer Lynn Mincey, 57, and daughter Amanda Mincey McBrayer, 37
- The shooting occurred Wednesday night at a residence on Gauntt Road in Oxford, Georgia—approximately 40 miles southeast of Atlanta
- According to 911 recordings, Mincey allegedly threatened his daughter before shooting her, saying: 'I've got a gun. I'm gonna pull the f—ing trigger'
- Amanda McBrayer's husband, Adam McGrath, escaped with their children after witnessing part of the attack
- Jennifer Lynn Mincey died at Grady Memorial Hospital after being rushed from the scene; Amanda McBrayer was found deceased at the residence
What's Next
Mincey remains in custody without bond pending his formal arraignment. The Walton County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including a review of physical evidence and additional witness interviews. Sheriff Keith Brooks described the incident as 'a senseless loss of life' in a statement released to media. Court dates for preliminary hearings have not yet been scheduled.
"We are saddened by this senseless loss of life," Sheriff Brooks said.