Property dispute results in shooting

Lance Griffin
Published: October 7, 2008

GORDON — A property dispute over a vehicle erupted in gunfire Tuesday, but the victim escaped serious injury.

According to Houston County Sheriff’s Department, Frederick Wesley of Gordon suffered superficial wounds to his shoulder and upper arm after he was shot with a shotgun by Clennon Melton, 28, of Gordon.

Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Antonio Gonzalez said the nature of the dispute is still unknown. Deputies received a call of shots fired around 1:45 p.m. By 2 p.m., deputies and SWAT personnel responded and set up a perimeter around Melton’s residence. He appeared to be holed up in the residence and deputies attempted to make contact with him.

Deputies waited for more than an hour before Melton exited the residence and surrendered without incident.

Melton is being charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and second degree assault. He is being held with a $30,000 bond on each charge.