RABUN COUNTY, Ga. — An 80-year-old Florida man has been charged with aggravated assault following a shots-fired incident earlier this month along Highway 197, according to Rabun County Sheriff Mark Gerrells.
Deputies responded around 6:40 a.m. April 7 to a report of shots fired near McNabb Road and Highway 197. While en route, they received a description of a suspect vehicle, identified as a gray Toyota Tacoma traveling southbound on Highway 197.
Deputies located the vehicle near Brooks Store and conducted a felony traffic stop without incident, Gerrells said. The driver was identified as Richard Henrickson, 80, of Orange City, Florida.
During the investigation, Henrickson admitted to discharging a firearm, according to the sheriff. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a .22-caliber revolver and spent shell casings, which were collected as evidence.
The victim told deputies he had stopped to assist what he believed was a stranded motorist when he encountered Henrickson. During the interaction, two shots were fired in the direction of the victim’s vehicle, Gerrells said.
Henrickson was taken into custody and transported to the Rabun County Detention Center, where he was charged with aggravated assault. His vehicle was impounded.
Gerrells commended deputies for their response, saying their quick and professional actions helped resolve the situation safely.
“My office takes firearm-related incidents seriously and remains committed to protecting the citizens of Rabun County,” Gerrells said.
