Peachtree City’s former top cop has been indicted by a Fayette County grand jury on a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct in the aftermath of his accidentally shooting his ex-wife early Jan. 1 this year. The wound left Margaret McCollom, 58, paralyzed from the waist down.
Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard said Wednesday said McCollom will have to turn himself in at the Fayette County Jail and make bond. Ballard said McCollom’s attorney will have to meet with the district attorney’s office on the misdemeanor charge that carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. If it can’t be worked out, he will go to trial, Ballard said.
McCollom turned himself in at noon on Thursday and bonded out on a $5,000 bond on the charge of reckless conduct.
Margaret McCollom, 58, known as Maggie, told the Georgia Bureau of Investigation shortly after the shooting that she was asleep in her bed the early morning of Jan. 1 when she was struck by a single bullet to her back. She told agents she believed her shooting was an accident.
“Ms. McCollom was shot by Peachtree City Police Chief William McCollom in their home at 103 Autumn Leaf in Peachtree City [Jan. 1],” the GBI said in January. “During the interview, Ms. McCollom stated she was asleep when the shooting occurred and could provide no information about the shooting; however, she believes the shooting was an accident.”
McCollom, who served as chief for fewer than three months before the shooting incident, had been on paid administrative leave from his city post until he resigned March 11. Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard announced in March that he would be seeking an indictment of reckless conduct, a misdemeanor, against Chief McCollom when the Fayette County Grand Jury convenes April 15.
At that time, Ballard said there is no evidence to suggest that the shooting occurred intentionally. Ballard said in March that he cannot recall an occasion where a stand-alone misdemeanor charge has gone before a grand jury. The difference in this case is two-fold, said Ballard.
First, the investigation was conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Beyond that, if a warrant is issued for a misdemeanor it could go to state court. Ballard said he wants to keep the case since he was involved with it since the beginning.
Peachtree City has begun a search for a new chief of police immediately. In the interim, Captain Stan Pye, who has been serving as acting chief of police since Jan. 1, will remain in that position. McCollom came on board as assistant chief in September 2012, and became acting chief when H.E. “Skip” Clark resigned in July 2014.
McCollom told a 911 dispatcher just after 4 a.m. Jan. 1 that his 9mm Glock service handgun was in bed with the couple and accidentally fired when he “went to move it and put it to the side.” McCollom in the 911 recording said he had shot her accidentally and asked for medical assistance ASAP. Asked where she was shot, McCollom said she was shot in the back.
Asked about the circumstances of the incident, McCollom said the gun was in the bed. He went to move it and put it to the side and it went off, said McCollom.
Throughout the call, and until first responders arrived, McCollom on several occasions referenced his wife having difficulty breathing while asking her about her ability to breathe.
Also heard on the recording was what appeared to be Margaret McCollom crying in the background.
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