Details of violent Athens homes invasion revealed in court filings

By Joe Johnson

The following is from arrest and search warrant affidavits and police reports on file at the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse:

On the evening of September 20, Will Jennings was answering a woman’s knocking at the door when a pair of masked gunmen rushed in and shot him in the chest during an attempted robbery.

Though badly wounded, the 37-year-old victim managed to retrieve a rifle and he fired several rounds at the suspects’ vehicle as it sped away.

Police responded to the home on Big Oak Circle to investigate a 10:14 p.m. 911 call reporting an aggravated assault.

Upon arrival, officers found a loaded ammo magazine and bullet casings in the driveway. Jennings came to the door with his hands raised and his shirt soaked with blood.

Paramedics treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to the hospital.

A man identified as the victim’s father claimed to have just arrived after having picked up some food on the west side of town.

Not far from the crime scene, officers on Morton Road located a Chevrolet Cruz that was registered to a man in Jackson County, riddled with bullet holes and with a flat tire.

When searching the victim’s property police found large amounts of marijuana in the woods behind the residence, inside of which there were additional large amounts of marijuana, pills and cash. Firearms were stashed throughout.

A confidential informant would later tell police that the Jackson County man, along with his brother and their female accomplice might have fled to another state.

Any arrrests in the case have yet to be announced.