Peachtree City, GA Police Chief William McCollum’s Wife Shot and Critically Wounded, Police Chief Placed on Leave During Investigation by GBI (Update: 911 Tape, Shot Wife in His Sleep)

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a shooting that took place early this morning, January 1, 2015, at the home of Peach Tree City, GA Chief of police William McCollum. According to reports, the wife, 58 year old Margaret McCollom, of the Peach Tree City Chief of Police was shot and critically wounded. She was taken to Atlanta Medical Center in critical condition. McCollum has been placed on administrative leave pending the GBI investigation and an internal review. McCollom told the GBI the shooting happened with his service revolver.

The GBI has been called in to investigate a predawn shooting Thursday that critically wounded the wife of Peachtree City’s police chief.

Officers responded to Chief William McCollum’s home on Autumn Leaf shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday in reference to a person shot call, according to Peachtree City police Lt. Mark Brown.

Brown said the woman was taken to Atlanta Medical Center in critical condition.

Peach Tree City Police press release:

A police press release said, “On January 1st, 2015 at approximately 4:17 a.m. officers responded to 103 Autumn Leaf, Peachtree city, GA (MAP) in reference to a person shot call. The victim was transported to the Atlanta Medical Center by air helicopter where she is listed in critical condition.

“The investigation into this incident has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation due to the husband of the victim being the Peachtree City Chief of Police. The Chief of Police has been placed on administrative leave by the City Manager pending the completion of the investigation and an internal review.

911 Call Placed by William McCollom to Fayette County 911 Center

UPDATE I: 911 Tape says Chief of police shot his wife in his sleep … We were sleeping when I shot my wife.

The police chief in an upscale community outside Atlanta said he was sleeping when he moved a gun in the bed and accidentally shot his wife in the back, according to a 911 tape released Friday.

“Who shot her?” the 911 operator asked William McCollom, the police chief in Peachtree City, Georgia.

“Me,” McCollom replied.

“How did you shoot her?”

“The gun was in the bed, I went to move it, put it to the side, and it went off,” McCollom said.

“Is she awake?”

“No, everybody was sleeping,” McCollom said.

“No, is she awake now?”

“Yes,” he said.