CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill is making his first statement Tuesday following a shooting that critically injured a woman.
He's accused of shooting Gwenevere McCord at a model home in Gwinnett County on Sunday night.
He said in a statement:
"As reported, on May 3, 2015, I was involved in a tragic and heartbreaking accident. Gwenevere McCord, who is very dear to me, was critically injured in this accident. Please understand that for the past 48 hours, I have been entirely focused on Gwenevere and her family. I will continue to pray unceasingly for her recovery. I ask you all to please pray for Gwenevere and her family throughout this most difficult time."
Neighbors said they have seen Hill at this home before visiting McCord.
Their relationship is unclear.
Channel 2’s Sophia Choi knocked on the door of McCord’s home in Clayton County Tuesday, but there was no answer.
Neighbors say they've never seen any trouble at the home on Bowen Court.
They said McCord was a nice woman, who worked as a realtor.
Hill is accused of shooting her at her office, a model home on Britt Trail Drive in Gwinnett County.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to McCord’s father, who called the shooting a “freak accident.”
“They’re good friends,” McCord said of Hill’s relationship with his daughter, 43. “He’s always been a perfect gentleman with us. He’s always shown concern for us and for her.”
Neighbors say they really don't understand how that could happen, even accidentally.
“Either way, that's unacceptable. There's no room for error, especially in that line of work,” neighbor Trayce Toles said.
McCord is in critical condition recovering at a local hospital.
Meanwhile, for the second day since the shooting, Hill's car was missing from his reserved spot at his office.
Channel 2’s Tom Jones learned Monday that he told staff he was taking time off to take care of business.
Gwinnett County police say the sheriff made the 911 call and reported the shooting as accidental, but so far, he has refused to give them a statement.