Ex-Nascar driver John Wes Townley ‘attacked his ex-wife and another man with hatchet’ before being shot dead in chest
A FORMER Nascar driver attacked his ex-wife and a man with a hatchet before being shot dead in the chest, police say.
John Wes Townley is understood to have launched the ax assault at the home where his estranged wife, Laura Townley, 30, was staying after their divorce was finalized.
A police report reveals the ex-driving star attacked both his ex-wife and another man, named as Zachary Anderson, with the weapon on Saturday night.
Anderson then fired several shots from his gun, with struck Mr Townley and also accidentally struck the driver's estranged wife.
Mr Townley died in the double shooting that also seriously injured his estranged wife, 30, in the Athens Five Points area in .
Police say they responded to a in the 200 block of Morton Avenue in the Five Points neighborhood just before 9pm on Saturday.
DOUBLE SHOOTING
Investigators said Townley had gone to his ex-wife's home before an "altercation involving a hatchet" with Zachary Anderson.
John Townley is said to have been hit in the chest; Laura in her abdomen.
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The relationship between Laura Townley and Anderson is not clear.
No charges were filed immediately in the shooting and an investigation continues.
🔵 Read our for the latest on his killing
Police are trying to determine whether Townley showed up at the house with the hatchet or got it there, police spokesperson Lt. Shaun Barnett said.
The field case report states: "A preliminary investigation revealed that Mr. Townley had arrived at this location and attacked Mr. Anderson and Ms. Townley with a hatchet.
"The Townley’s divorce had been finalized this week.
"Mr. Anderson fired several shots from his gun which struck Mr. Townley and accidentally struck Ms. Townley."
Townley was accused of throwing Laura to the ground in 2019, reports. He pled guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to 12 months probation, according to the outlet.
FAMOUS FATHER
Townley was one of the first young drivers in the late 2000s who advanced to the top levels of NASCAR powered by family funding.
His father is the co-founder of Zaxby’s restaurants and the chicken chain sponsored him through the entirety of his career.
That funding got Townley a full-season Xfinity Series ride at the age of 19 and he failed to finish seven of his 26 starts due to crashes.
That moment could have marked the end of a brief NASCAR tenure for Townley.
His best points finish in the Truck Series came in 2015 when he was eighth. He had eight top-10 finishes in 23 starts that season in addition to that win.
FILES FOR DIVORCE
Townley and Laura married in 2018, according to reports. He filed for divorce in February of this year and is understood to have been living at his parent's house.
Townley moved on from driving in NASCAR after running in 18 Truck Series races and two Xfinity Series races in 2016.
Current NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace, who raced against Townley, tweeted: "Damn. Rest Easy JWT. Heartbreaking."
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If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at .
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