Photo: AthensOnline
Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley, son of Zaxby's founder Tony Townley, has died after being shot in an altercation involving his ex-wife and another man.
John Wes Townley died after during a double-shooting in Athens, Georgia on October 2nd reports the Banner-Herald. His ex-wife was also shot during the incident and, although her injuries are serious, they are less severe and she is considered stable currently.
According to ACCPD spokesperson Lt. Shaun Barnett, police were called to a domestic disturbance at 240 Morton Ave, in Athens around 8:50pm on the 2nd of October, where they found both parties injured.
The Townleys had just finalized their divorce this past week.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has issued a statement that clarifies some of the details of the incident. In it they report that some time before the call Mr.Townley arrived at the house and became involved in an altercation with a third individual at the scene, a Mr. Zachary Anderson.
That altercation involved Mr. Townley brandishing a hatchet and attacking Mr. Anderson, 32, before Mr. Anderson fired several shots from his firearm. Early reports suggest that Ms. Townley was accidentally struck by the gunfire.
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department has issued a statement that clarifies some of the details of the incident. In it they report that some time before the call Mr.Townley arrived at the house and became involved in an altercation with a third individual at the scene, a Mr. Zachary Anderson.
That altercation involved Mr. Townley brandishing a hatchet and attacking Mr. Anderson, 32, before Mr. Anderson fired several shots from his firearm. Early reports suggest that Ms. Townley was accidentally struck by the gunfire.
Mr. Townley was struck in his chest and after transport to the hospital succumbed to those injuries. Mr. Anderson currently faces no charges against him though the investigation is ongoing. The relationship between Mr. Anderson, Mr. Townley, and Ms. Townley is unknown.
Townley retired in 2017 from professional racing. Before that he competed in 76 different NASCAR events from 2008 to 2016. Zaxby's, the successful fast food chain co-founded by Townley's father Tony, was often a major sponsor. The 2015 season proved to be his most successful racing campaign, when he scored the only win of his career at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and placed eighth in the overall series standings.
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