Man Arrested for Shooting at Utility Workers

A nearby Gainesville man was arrested early Wednesday morning after he allegedly shot at utility workers who were near the man's home attempting to restore power due to trees that had fallen on the power lines.

Donald Josh Deal, 62, of Holland Drive located off Brown's Bridge Road, is being held at the Hall County jail on two counts of aggravated assault, according to Sgt. Stephen Wilbanks.

Around midnight Hall County sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an armed man who had fired shots at utility workers.

The workers, employees of Jackson EMC, reported that as they were assessing a problem outside a residence, a man stepped outside and began cursing and threatening them with a handgun before firing at least two shots in their direction. The utility workers, who were not injured, fled the area and called 911.

Sgt. Wilbanks said that Deal retreated into his home and refused to come out when ordered to do so by deputies, prompting the response of the sheriff’s office SWAT team. SWAT commanders negotiated with Deal until about 2 a.m. when he finally voluntarily exited his home. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Bond has not yet been set, pending Deal's first appearance. This case remains under investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.