Arrest made in shooting

By Al Summers

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Gilmer County detectives have made an arrest in the Monday, Jan. 7, shooting of James McClure of a Sanford Road address, and they say more arrests could be forthcoming.

Det. Rick Clayton took warrants for the arrest of John Anthony Starks, 39, of Ellijay in connection with the shooting. Starks was already incarcerated at the Gilmer County Detention Center on an unrelated charge brought by the Department of Natural Resources. He had been arrested Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Starks has been charged with one count of aggravated assault with intent to murder, one count of aggravated battery, one count of burglary, one count of cruelty to children, two counts of influencing a witness, one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and multiple accounts of making a false statement. More charges could be filed as evidence is located.

McClure had been shot in the leg by a male wearing sunglasses and a hood. It was also determined that at least three shots had been fired during the “home invasion” type crime.

McClure was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga where he was treated.

Det. Lane Bennett told the Times-Courier investigators were still looking for evidence relative to the case, and it could lead to other arrests.

Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson and Chief Detective R.T. Henry had high praise for Clayton and the other detectives of the criminal investigation division, saying the hard work and the tenacity of the investigators paid off in this difficult case.