Officials in Alabama have uncovered tragic new details in the “bizarre” shooting death of a fire chief who was trying to assist two drivers who had accidentally hit a deer.

James Cauthen, a 54-year-old fire chief with Coweta County Fire in Georgia, was shot and killed while helping drivers who hit a deer in Alabama.

James Cauthen was killed on Sunday as he and the driver he was assisting came under fire while seeking help in Stroud, Ala., the authorities said. A man was charged with murder.