Shooter suspect refuses to waive extradition, survivor speaks

HIAWASSEE, Ga – Alleged shooter Charles Jason Matheson, 41, appeared in Clay County District Court on January 28 and rejected the waiving of extradition charges.

Matheson is being held in Hayesville on a fugitive warrant until his extradition to Georgia to face criminal charges for allegedly shooting his estranged wife multiple times at her place of work in Hiawassee, Georgia. After, he fled the scene and traveled to the Matheson Cove Road area in Clay County, North Carolina. Clay County Sheriff’s deputies blocked off Matheson Cove Road.

Read more details of the initial incident here. 

The shooting suspect’s been appointed an attorney and is currently under a $1 million secured bond. He’s currently charged with aggravated assault in Georgia and a fugitive charge in Clay County.

Georgia officials are in the process of applying for a Governor’s warrant. If issued by Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC) then North Carolina law enforcement can take the fugitive into custody to be picked up by the other state. The individual “might already be in custody not allowed bail or was unable to make bail following his or her initial arrest.”

Arguments against extradition will be heard on February 15.

Survivor Speaks

Matheson’s estranged wife, Crystal Matheson has been recovering after undergoing surgery for her wounds. On Saturday, January 30, she released a statement on social media expressing her gratitude toward the community.

“Hey guys. I have been overwhelmed by the love that has been directed my way. I am blessed beyond measure is the simplest way I know to put it. I have felt your prayers and please keep them coming because I need them. Some of you praying I don’t even know but they are so appreciated. Those of you do know I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d be asking for prayers for a situation like this. It doesn’t seem quite real. I thank God because He is the only reason I am here. It’s not a question or a wonder or a might be. It is simply fact. I am blessed and thankful for every single person who helped from my coworkers, the girls in the doctor’s office, the cops from local to GBI, the EMS and LifeFlight, the ER doctors, and nurses, the trauma team and surgeons and every person I’ve encountered in the hospital. There is no way to make it seem logical…it defies it. I have 8 gunshot wounds. I know I shouldn’t be here but I am. My God is beyond comprehension in His goodness. I am doing my best to keep focused on getting better. It’s hard. It’s not pretty. And some days I’m not as strong as I want to be. I’ve never had pain like I’ve had but at least I’m here. Its slowly easing up some and I am so grateful. I can’t get around I can stand and take a few shuffles steps but it’s a blessing to do that. It wears me out just to do that but I’m determined to keep trying. I have quite a bit of nerve pain issues in one leg. I ask that yall keep praying for me. I pray for pain relief and strength so I can do things a little easier. I ask that you pray for my blood pressure to normalize so that I can work with Physical Therapy and get stronger. I ask you to pray for wounds to heal so I can move around without fear of hurting something more. I’m trying to answer messages. There’s a lot so please bear with me. I love all of you all. You have no idea what you mean to me and my son and my family. Overwhelmed doesn’t even describe it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Members of the community have organized auctions and GoFundMe accounts to help her pay for her recovery bills. The auction will take place on February 25 and 26.