A dispute turned violent Wednesday evening in Nicholson.
A 26-year-old Jefferson man was life-flighted in critical condition to Grady Memorial Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds following the shooting, which took place at around 5 p.m. at a 8353 Brockton Road residence about an eighth of a mile west of U.S. 441.
Jackson County Sheriff's Office Major David Cochran identified the alleged shooter as Michael Grady Miller, 62. The shooting occurred at his residence, a simple frame structure with a Ten Commandments sign in the yard. He is charged with aggravated assault.
"It appears there was a domestic dispute," said Cochran, who added that the shooting took place on the front porch of the gray, vinyl-sided house.
The victim was identified as Ricky D. Beatty Jr., 26, of 133 Standridge Road, Jefferson. Cochran said the victim, and a female, were at Miller's residence when a dispute broke out. JCSO Major David Cochran said Miller and Beatty are not related.
Deputy Aubrey Gary was first to arrive at the scene. He found Beatty lying in the yard "covered in blood" with two females kneeling beside him, according to the incident report. As other deputies arrived at the scene, a deputy and the two women carried Beatty to the road where EMS personnel waited. They took him to the parking lot of Benton Elementary School, where a Life Flight helicopter transported him to Grady Memorial Hospital. Beatty remains in critical condition following surgery Wednesday night.
After a brief standoff, Miller, who was also reportedly injured in the incident, turned himself over to officers at the scene. At about 6:30, deputies escorted Miller, who walked with the assistance of a walker, to one of the 14 JCSO vehicles at the scene for transport to the county jail for questioning.
