Members of a Georgia community are calling a teen boy a hero after he shot his own father, a man who was allegedly abusive to his family.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Tucker Gales, 15, was arrested for the murder of Wesley Jordan Gales, 66. According to police, the incident happened on October 28 at a home in Appling off of Gales Road.
Tucker Gales allegedly admitted to investigators that he shot his father with a .22 caliber Marlin semiautomatic rifle after “he had enough of his father abusing his mother.”
According to Fox 54, hundreds of people have taken to social media to comment about the case, and most of the comments are backing the teen. One person called Tucker a “hero,” the outlet reports, while another said, “any man young or old should have done the same thing.”
Court records indicate a history of abuse in the home. In March, Wesley Gales was arrested for cruelty to children and family violence/battery. Gales was accused of punching his wife, Deborah, in the eye, kicking her in the head, making her nose bleed, and throwing a DVD player down the hall.
When Tucker Gayles attempted to pick up the DVD player, his father reportedly cursed and screamed at him.
After the responding officers noted blood coming from Deborah Gales’ nose and marks on her body, they questioned Wesley Gales, who admitted to the verbal and physical altercation.
The Augusta Chronicle reports that Wesley Gales was sentenced to a year of probation after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
In September, Deborah called 911 after her husband allegedly threatened to shoot their son in the head. She added that her husband also kicked her in her private parts.
Wesley Gales, who was having trouble standing and walking at the time, denied the allegations to police.
“Due to conflicting statements, no physical evidence, and a lack of third-party witnesses, no charges were filed,” police said.
The alleged physical abuse had apparently been ongoing for years. In 2017, both Deborah and Tucker Gales told police that Wesley Gales was being physically abusive. Wesley Gales denied the allegations but Tucker Gales backed his mother up.
“Yes you did; you grabbed her by the hair,” Tucker Gales said.
“Thanks, Tucker. Now I am going to jail,” his father replied.
In 2011, Wesley Gales was arrested after he slapped his wife, and verbally abused her in front of their son, who was six at the time.
Attorney Scott Connell heard about Tucker’s case and volunteered to take him on as a client, free of charge.
“This is a perfect example of what can happen when you have an abuser in the home,” Connell reportedly said.
Meanwhile, a judge granted Tucker Gales a signature bond, meaning he was released from jail until his trial.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Tucker Gales/Police Handout]
