Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley 'attacked' ex-wife, man with a hatchet before he was shot, police say

< a class="gnt_em gnt_em __ fp gnt_em_gl gnt_em __ el"data-t-l=": l|l|c|view gallery: inline promo" aria-label="Sight Gallery-Sports figures we lost in 2021 "data-g-r=" nav_mo"data-g-tn=" pgcss" data-g-mtn =" pg4114802001 "data-g-moh=" hpgm "aria-haspopup="dialog"aria-expanded=" incorrect "onmousedown="event.stopPropagation( )"onmouseup="event.stopPropagation() "data-c-id="4114802001" >< img course ="gnt_em_gl_i"src= "https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/01/22/USAT/bd316857-2158-466b-a750-e42eb5e8b0bf-blue_b.JPG?crop=2999,1687,x0,y176&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp"elementtiming="ar-lead-image"srcset="https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/01/22/USAT/bd316857-2158-466b-a750-e42eb5e8b0bf-blue_b.JPG?crop=2999,1687,x0,y176&width=1320&height=744&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x"decoding ="async" alt=""size="660"elevation ="372"> The capturing death of John Wes Townley was an outcome of "a run-in "in the Athens Five Things location on Saturday between Townley and also a 32-year-old man from Dunwoody, according to Athens-Clarke Region authorities

. Townley, 31, gotten here with a hatchet at a residence inhabited by his ex-wife, Laura Townley, as well as Zachary Anderson, authorities claimed. Townley"

attacked Mr. Anderson and Ms. Townley with a hatchet,"the police record said,"and also Mr. Anderson fired a number of shots from his weapon." Both John Wes Townley as well as Laura Townley were fired. John Wes Townley passed away of injuries at the healthcare facility and also Laura Townley, 30, was required to the healthcare facility with" major "injuries, authorities claimed. Laura Townley is expected to endure, police said.

Authorities claimed on Sunday they had touched with Anderson. As of Monday, on the house had actually been filed. The examination is recurring, authorities stated. Police claimed John Wes Townley and Laura Townley had a recently settled a divorce. John Wes Townley submitted the petition in February.

In 2019, John Wes Townley was billed with 3 violation matters, including household violence battery, after, according to court documents, he tossed his wife to the floor and put her in sensible worry of the safety and security of her life. John Wes Townley pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and also was sentenced to twelve month probation.

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Townley, a citizen of Watkinsville, spent almost a years completing in multiple NASCAR national touring series, most notably winning a 2015 Outdoor camping World Truck Series race in Las vega.

Townley's father, Tony Townley, is the founder of the Athens-based chicken chain Zaxby's.

Editor's note: The Athens Banner-Herald typically does not launch the names of residential physical violence targets. Nonetheless, because of the nature of this instance and also the general public figures involved, in this circumstances we decided to provide this information.