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Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley killed in shooting

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions - Qualifying

MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 29: John Wes Townley, driver of the #05 Jive Communications/Zaxby’s Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200 presented by Alpha Energy Solutions at Martinsville Speedway on October 29, 2016 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images)

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Former NASCAR driver John Wes Townley was shot and killed Saturday night after an altercation. Townley was 31.

A press release from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department stated that police responded to a shooting at 8:44 p.m. ET Saturday night.

The report states that the initial investigation indicates that John Wes Townley arrived at the residence of ex-wife Laura Townley and Zachary Anderson. A police report states that John Wes Townley attacked Laura Townley and Anderson with a hatchet.

The report states that Anderson fired several shots. The report states that John Wes Townley was shot through the chest and Laura Townley was accidentally struck in the abdomen. John Wes Townley died at a hospital from his injuries. Laura Townley sustained serious injures and is expected to survive.

The investigation is ongoing.

Townley competed in NASCAR from 2008-16. He ran 110 Camping World Truck Series races and 76 Xfinity races. He had one career victory, a win in the Truck race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 3, 2015.

Townley took the lead with five laps to go on a fuel gamble and won.