Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

Ex-Georgia cop accused of shooting, killing his son

Pat Wooten (Credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Pat Wooten (Credit: Chattanooga Times Free Press)
By Lauren Foreman
May 9, 2017

An ex-Georgia police officer is in jail after the GBI said he shot his son in the chest and killed him.

Former Chickamauga police Officer Pat Wooten, 58, is in the Catoosa County Jail without bond on a charge of malice murder, according to the GBI.

While officials have not discussed a motive, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Wooten and his son had a history of conflict before Saturday’s shooting.

MORE COVERAGE: Detentions officer, son had history of conflict leading up to shooting

Lance Wooten, 30, was pronounced dead on the scene after Chickamauga police responded to a 911 call in the 1000 block of Hood Avenue just before noon. The GBI said the father lived at the address, which is about 110 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

At the time of the deadly shooting, Wooten was a detention officer at the Walker County Jail, the GBI said.

Pat Wooten was placed on administrative leave without pay Saturday, and it went into effect Monday, according to the Walker County Sheriff's Office.

In other news:

Parents Left Toddler Home Alone To Get Pizza

About the Author

Lauren Foreman
More Stories

The Latest

A Spalding County woman who has been imprisoned the past 11 years for a child abuse conviction is entitled to a new trial, a judge has ruled. The case is set to be argued before the Georgia Supreme Court in November. (File)

Credit: TNS

Mother imprisoned more than a decade gets bond ahead of possible new trial

Fulton sheriff: ‘People will continue to die’ if city ends jail lease

‘Never had the evidence’: Georgia man acquitted of murder in twisty cold case

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.