July 5, 2009

WADLEY, Ga -- A Wadley man is charged with shooting another man in the neck at a July 4th celebration.

Jefferson County investigators say 52-year-old Charles Heggs is the suspect, they also say he shot himself in the leg during the altercation.

Deputies responded to the home on the 1900 block of E A Goodson road near Wadley, Georgia around 6pm Saturday. They found Heggs shot in the leg and later learned the victim, Ricky Watson, 45, was already on his way to the Jefferson Hospital Emergency Room.

Deputies say they also found a revolver in the yard.

Deputies say the investigation found Heggs walked out of his home and yelled for people to leave before firing several shots; one bullet struck Watson in the neck and a second shot struck Heggs in his own leg. No one else was injured.

The Sheriff's Office says Heggs was treated and released from Jefferson Hospital. He's now at the Jefferson County Jail, charged with aggravated assault.

Deputies say Watson was transported by helicopter to MCG in stable, but serious condition.

Investigators believe both men had been drinking and were under the influence of narcotics.

The GBI is assisting the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.