Police Officer Shot During Struggle at Domestic Disturbance

An Athens-Clarke County police officer suffered a minor gunshot wound Sunday when a suspect in a domestic dispute grabbed for his holstered gun and pulled the trigger.

The police department said in a media release that James M. Marcantonio is facing charges of aggravated assault and aggravated battery from the noontime incident at the Fairways @ Jennings Mill Apartments.

Police responded to a domestic call at 11:55 a.m., when Marcantonio was found banging on the door to the 911 caller’s apartment. Marcantonio then allegedly became combative with police.

“Preliminary information obtained from on scene witnesses was that Marcantonio attempted to take the officer’s weapon,” police said in the release. “During the struggle, the officer was shot once.”

The Athens Banner-Herald reported senior police officer Michael Ward was treated and released for his wound from St. Mary’s Hospital. The newspaper said it was a superficial wound.

Marcantonio was arrested without further incident.

ACC Police Chief Joseph H. Lumpkin, Sr., has requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) in conducting an investigation into the shooting.