Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townely was killed Saturday in a double-shooting that occurred in Athens.
According to the Athens Banner-Herald, Athens-Clarke County police responded to a shooting in the 200 block of Morton Avenue in the Five Points neighborhood just before 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Townley, 31, and a 30-year-old female were transported to an area hospital.
ACCPD spokesperson Lt. Shaun Barnett says that a 32-year-old male is the suspect but currently there are no charges against him. The investigation is ongoing and appears to be related to domestic violence.
According to Classic City News, Townley may have been armed with an axe when he entered the house a house at 240 Morton Avenue when he was fatally shot. Laura Townley was also struck by gunfire.
“I can’t confirm any of those details right now.” Barnett said Sunday afternoon. “We are not ruling out that this was potentially a self-defense case related to a domestic violence type incident. However, the investigation is still ongoing.”
In his NASCAR career Townley appeared in 76 Xfintiy Series and 110 Camping World Truck Series races. Townley won the 2015 Truck Series race at Las Vegas. He was the son of Zaxby’s founder Tony Townley.
