UPDATE: Claxton shooting victim dies after GBI issues correction

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - [Updated 2/15/2026 at 6:49 p.m.] Jonathan Gaines, 48, a Claxton resident has died from injuries sustained in a shooting Wednesday. Gaines, 48, was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in Savannah for treatment following the shooting. He was first pronounced dead Friday afternoon.

The announcement of Gaines’ death drew attention after confusion about his status. Saturday, his family told authorities he was still alive and on life support.

The hospital had mistakenly informed the family and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that he had died while he remained on a ventilator.

The GBI released a statement Sunday announcing Gaines’ death, then issued a correction after the family’s account.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

[ORIGINAL STORY] A 48-year-old man shot in Claxton Wednesday is still alive on life support after Memorial Hospital in Savannah pronounced him dead Friday afternoon.

Jonathan Gaines was airlifted to Memorial Hospital to treat multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head. Hospital staff told his family Thursday he was brain dead and conducted tests over the next day.

The family was at the hospital when they said staff notified them that Gaines had been pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m. Friday.

“We just all sat out in the front, we cried, we hugged each other and we left to prepare a funeral,” said Michelle Llod, Gaines’ aunt.

The family left the hospital and began funeral preparations that evening. Saturday morning, Gaines’ daughter received a call saying her father was still alive.

“But why pronounce him dead at 2:05 pm on Friday the thirteenth and then he’s still on the ventilator February fourteenth?” Llod said.

The family said when Gaines was taken off the ventilator, he showed signs of brain activity. Staff decided to put him back on life support and continue tests.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released a statement Friday announcing Gaines’ death and have since issued a correction.

“We don’t know if we should mourn his death or rejoice his life, his still living, because the hospital has got us in doubt now,” said Vernon Dixon, Gaines’ uncle.

The family said they are frustrated by the series of events but want accountability from the hospital.

“Today we are broken, we are mourning, he was not just anybody he was somebody to us. And that is why we want to bring awareness that Memorial Hospital dropped the ball on my nephew,” Llod said.

The family said they will return to the hospital Saturday morning to hear results of a brain scan.

“We trust our family in y’alls hands, anything that could have been done to save my nephew we beg and plead for y’all to do it,” Llod said.

WTOC reached out to Memorial Hospital.