A 78-year-old Decatur man was arrested for allegedly shooting through a window at a state child welfare employee while she was at home because he was upset that she didn’t remove a child from a neighbor’s home.I'm tired of being told that the vast majority of gun owners is responsible. I'm also tired of being accused of painting with too broad a brush when I point out that SOME gun owners are not safe and responsible.
James E. Hilliard was arrested Wednesday (Jan. 9) on preliminary charges that include aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and criminal damage to property. He is being held in the Macon County Jail on $250,000 bond, pending his arraignment.
Hilliard allegedly followed the Department of Children and Family Services caseworker from the home of his neighbor in the 900 block of East Main Street after the worker visited the home and did not remove the child.
When the caseworker left the child’s home to return to her own home, Hilliard followed in his car.
The mother of the child, who was acquainted with Hilliard and had received an unwanted marriage proposal from him, told police she saw Hilliard following the caseworker in his car. She told police Hilliard had told her he owned two firearms.
According to police, while the caseworker and her husband were at home, Hilliard “fired one round from a small-caliber firearm from his vehicle, which was on the public street as he drove in front of (the caseworker’s) residence. "
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