Georgia Police Chief Shoots Wife in Alleged Accident

The wife of Peachtree City’s police chief is fighting for her life at a local hospital after investigators say her husband shot her with his police weapon on Thursday morning.

According to WSB-TV, the shooting occurred at approximately 4 a.m. at the home of police chief William McCollom. The top cop called 911 to alert authorities of the shooting, which McCollom said was an accident. WSB-TV said that initial reports which claimed McCollom fired twice were incorrect, and that only one shot had been fired.

McCollom told investigators with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation that he had been handling his service revolver when the shooting occurred, according to WSB-TV. The GBI is handling the investigation to avoid any potential conflicts of interest regarding the Peachtree City Police Department, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

McCollom’s wife Margaret, 58, was airlifted to the Atlanta Medical Center and is reportedly in critical condition, WSB-TV said.

The police chief was placed on administrative leave for the duration of the GBI continues and an internal probe conducted by the department. Charges could be filed pending the result of the investigation, WSB-TV reported.