The sons of a man who was fatally shot in Gainesville earlier this year have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the woman charged in his killing, a longtime St. Simons Island dentist.

James David Barron, 68, died from a gunshot wound to the torso on March 8th. Deputies with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Bayridge Drive at approximately 1:15 a.m., where they found Barron unresponsive. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Authorities allege that Suzanne Renee Mericle, 61, shot Barron during an argument, firing through a locked bedroom door. Mericle, who was present when deputies arrived, was arrested at the scene. She is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. She remains held without bond in Hall County.

Mericle is the owner of Mericle Dentistry, a practice located here in St. Simons Island. The dental office has served the coastal Georgia community for years and is known for its high online ratings. However, Mericle’s arrest has brought new attention to the practice and its future.

The civil suit filed by Barron’s sons seeks financial compensation for their father’s lost income, along with punitive damages and legal fees. The lawsuit adds a civil component to an already high-profile criminal case involving a well-known local business owner.

In addition to the primary charges, Mericle also faces accusations of evidence tampering, resisting or obstructing law enforcement, driving under the influence, and a separate traffic violation.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding Barron’s death.