Sibling shot during fight over towels
By Elizabeth Billips Associate Editor

A Waynesboro man was sent to surgery while his sister was sent to jail.

Jimmie Lee Ellison, 42, was shot in the arm Monday during an argument over towels.

His sister, 34-year-old Geneva Ellison, told deputies she aimed the gun and fired but was only trying to "back him off" her.

According to a report filed at the Burke County Sheriff's Office, Mr. Ellison was taken to the Burke Medical Center emergency room Monday afternoon. A bullet had punched through his left shoulder, traveled down the humerus and shattered its head.

The victim's sister told deputies the argument began inside her Bates Road home when Mr. Ellison asked for towels to dry a car he'd washed.

He apparently didn't like the towels she provided and got upset when she insisted that he not use their mother's "good towels."

After tussling on the floor, Mrs. Ellison retrieved a pistol and fired a warning shot into the air.

When her brother didn't flee as she had expected, Mrs. Ellison "aimed for his left arm and shot," the report said.

Deputies noted that she was "crying and remorseful" and voluntarily went with them to the jail.

While Mr. Ellison was transported to the Medical College of Georgia for surgery, Mrs. Ellison was booked for aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.