On December 5, 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the Altha community concerning a shooting incident. The information initially received was that a 17 year old juvenile and adult male, Sheldon Chance Nichols, were gaming in Nichols’ bedroom. Located in the bedroom was an assault style shotgun that belonged to Nichols. According to the initial statements, both were playing with the shot- gun throughout the evening. Allegedly, during this period, the juvenile accidentally discharged the shotgun resulting in a self- inflicted fatal gunshot wound.
After comparing the initial statements received that evening to the crime scene, the scene told a different story. The scene was processed with several items of evidence collected. The evidence collected was submitted to FDLE’s crime lab for forensic testing and analysis. The Calhoun County Sheriff ’s Office maintained contact with FDLE regarding the status of said testing. Contact was also maintained with the 14th District State Attorney’s Office throughout this investigation. After receiving the results from the forensic testing, we conferred with the State Attorney’s office. After jointly conducting a thorough and detailed assessment of all facts and evidence, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Sheldon Chance Nichols for murder. Nichols was arrested on July 2, 2026, for an active murder warrant.
Sheriff Michael Bryant wished to recognize Calhoun County Sheriff ’s Office Investigators Capt. John Scheetz and Sgt. Garrett Lovelace on their exceptional work with this investigation.
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