Shocking incident at a Macon MMA gym as a member is charged with shooting at two training partners. Learn more about the incident and its aftermath.
A member of a Macon MMA gym has been charged with shooting at two of his training partners from Monroe County, leaving the community in shock. The incident occurred on Saturday when two Monroe County men were driving home from the Rush Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness gym in downtown Macon. Gunshots were fired at their vehicle on Rivoli Road, but they only realized they were being targeted when they discovered bullet holes in the back of their truck upon arriving home.
The suspect, Ernest Hale-Clark, a 36-year-old resident of Macon, was identified through video surveillance footage. According to Capt. Ricky Davis, Hale-Clark followed the victims home from the gym and fired at them. Bubby Mitchell, the owner of Rush gym, expressed his disbelief at the incident, stating that the gym is known for its tight-knit community and the incident goes against everything they teach.
Hale-Clark, who claims not to own a gun, has hired a lawyer to defend him. Mitchell mentioned that there was no prior argument or altercation between Hale-Clark and the victims at the gym, leaving everyone puzzled as to what triggered the shooting. The incident serves as a reminder that people’s true nature can sometimes be unpredictable and shocking.
Monroe County Investigator Thomas Haskins charged Hale-Clark with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal damage to property. The suspect was apprehended at a Macon apartment complex and is currently being held in Monroe County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing, and the names of the victims have not been released at this time.
Mitchell expressed gratitude that no one was injured in the incident and praised the handling of the case by Monroe County authorities. While the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, Mitchell believes that it must have been due to some personal issue or ego clash among the classmates and training partners at the gym.
Summary
| Key Points |
|---|
| A member of a Macon MMA gym is charged with shooting at two training partners from Monroe County. |
| The victims were shot at while driving home from the gym, but only discovered the bullet holes later. |
| Ernest Hale-Clark, the suspect, was identified through video surveillance footage. |
| The gym owner expressed shock and confusion over the incident. |
| Hale-Clark claims not to own a gun and has hired a lawyer. |
| The motive behind the shooting is still unknown. |
| Hale-Clark has been charged with aggravated assault and criminal damage to property. |
| The suspect is currently in custody on a $50,000 bond. |
