Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was shot dead in Georgia after attacking his ex-wife with an ax just days after their divorce was finalized, according to cops.
The 31-year-old driver — who retired from racing professionally in 2017 — turned up at 30-year-old ex-wife Laura Townley’s home in Atlanta late Saturday armed with a hatchet, according to the police report.
He then attacked his ex as well as Zachary Anderson, a 32-year-old man who was with her inside the house, the report said.
“At some point during the altercation, Anderson fired several shots with his firearm,” Officer Lt. Shaun Barnett said of the preliminary investigation.
John Townley was “shot through the chest” and was pronounced dead in a local hospital, the police report said.
Anderson also “accidentally struck Ms. Towney” in the abdomen, sparking the initial 911 call, the report said. She suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive, Barnett said.
The preliminary investigation noted that the Townleys’ divorce had been finalized this week.
There were no arrests or charges, Barnett said, stressing that “the investigation is ongoing.”
It was not immediately clear if any injuries were a result of the reported hatchet attack. Police also did not elaborate on the relationship between the shooter and Laura Townley, saying it was “still under investigation.”
John Townley had filed for divorce on Feb. 3 on the grounds he and his wife were living in separation and their marriage was irretrievably broken, according to Classic City News, citing court records.
Townley competed in 76 NASCAR races from 2008 to 2016, mainly in the Truck Series. His sole victory came in 2015 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, according to Motorsport.com.
