Dawson Sheriff's department investigating death 

Note: This is a preliminary report that will be updated as information from the Dawson County Sheriff's Department becomes available.

UPDATED FRIDAY, SEPT 19
By Laura Link
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

One person was shot and killed Tuesday morning, September 16, at a residence in Big Canoe. The motive of the shooting was not immediately known.

The call came in to the Dawson County 911 operator at 9:31 a.m. from one of the occupants of the house. According to Big Canoe Public Safety personnel there were three people in the house at the time - all were property renters in the community.

The residents, Melford and Concetta Bibens, have lived in the house since July, according to POA records. According to Dawson County Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Tony Wooten, the third person and victim was Howard Lynn Moreland, 44, said to be a business associate of the Bibens. Although Moreland had a Canton address on his driver's license it is believed he is a resident of a house of Big Canoe.

According to preliminary statements Bibens is reported to have gotten a rifle after Moreland picked up a butcher knife and threw it at him (Bibens). Bibens was not struck but, according to initial reports, shot and killed Moreland.  Other reports indicate Moreland threatened and may have injured Mrs. Bibens.

Wooten, in a phone conversation on Friday, September 19, said the shooting case is not closed at this time. But, Wooten said, he expects no charges will be brought against Melford Bibens since, from all indications, he acted in self defense.

Wooten said the Sheriff's department is still working on ballistics and Bibens' weapon has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime  las a routine procedure.

The Bibens have two children who were not at home at the time.

Moreland and the Bibens were seen frequently working out at the Big Canoe Fitness Center said Steve Panetta, the Fitness Center director.  Based on conversations with the Bibens, Panetta heard that Moreland had convinced them to put their home and business up for sale in New York and move to Big Canoe where he (Moreland) promised to back them in a new health/fitness business at the Foothills as well as pay for their children's private schooling.

Rumors quickly began to fly in and out of the gated community - many of which were not true. POA General Manager Roger Klask quickly issued a statement through an email blast to property owners giving the facts as they were known at the time.

The investigation is on-going by the Dawson County Sheriff's Dept. but as of Wednesday, Wooten said no charges have been filed. "This is being treated as an act of self defense."