Off-duty Kennesaw officer’s wife shoots him during domestic dispute

John Vaughn

Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Bartow County Sheriff's Office

John Vaughn

An off-duty Kennesaw police officer has been arrested after allegedly grabbing and threatening to kill his wife.

Reserve officer John Vaughn was shot by his wife Traci Mize on Oct. 15 at their Bartow County home, according to Sheriff Clark Millsap.

“After an investigation, John Vaughn was determined to be the primary aggressor and warrants were issued,” Bartow sheriff's spokesman Jonathan Rogers said.

Vaughn said in a police report the couple “got into an argument.”

“I grabbed her by the shirt,” he said in the report. “I told her I was going to kill her, and I grabbed her."

At some point, Mize shot Vaughn, authorities said. Vaughn was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital for treatment.

A .40-caliber handgun used in the incident was recovered in the couple’s laundry room next to their bedroom, according to the police report.

Vaughn was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault and battery. He is being held at the Bartow County jail pending a bond hearing, Rogers said.

He was placed on administrative leave with the Kennesaw Police Department pending the outcome of the investigation.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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