A homeowner fired at a man who allegedly kicked in his door just before noon Wednesday, Newton County police said.

The shooting happened at a home on Spring Road in Covington, Sgt. Cortney Morrison said.

Morrison said the two men had been fighting and that police were still trying to sort out what happened.

After 57-year-old Gerard Walter Montour of Covington allegedly kicked in the door, the homeowner, whose name has not been released, grabbed a handgun and fired off a few rounds, Morrison said.

It was not clear if Montour was hit by the bullets, but there was an intense fistfight, Channel 2 Action News reported.

“When deputies came out there was so much blood they were unable to ascertain whether he was shot or not,” Morrison told Channel 2.

Montour was taken to a hospital, where he remained Thursday, Morrison said.

The investigation is ongoing and when Montour is released from the hospital he will face criminal trespass and battery charges, Morrison said.

Witness George Owen said he drove by and saw a man on the ground.

“He was like he was laying on a cross,” Owen told the news station. “That's how he was laying. Head straight up, arms straight out.”

The scene shocked Owen and his friend, Robert Rodriguez, who said another man was sitting on the ground nearby in handcuffs.

In other news:

VIDEO: Brothers Pray Before First Day Of School

About the Author

Keep Reading

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand to 48 teams, marking the first expansion of the field since 1998. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

Managing Partner at Atlantica Properties, Darion Dunn (center) talks with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens during a tour following the ribbon cutting of Waterworks Village as part of the third phase of the city’s Rapid Housing Initiative on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez