Dade county officers have spent their afternoon looking for a suspected burglar accused of shooting a homeowner in his own yard.
Sheriff Patrick Cannon says the man who confronted the homeowner was armed and that he didn't hesitate to use the weapon.
Dade 9-1-1 got the call about noon and brought every available officer in for the hunt.
Neighbors tell us Slygo Road near I-59 is a quiet neighborhood with very little crime.
They were surprised to hear that 49 year old Joey Vaughn, who lives with his family at 1931 Slygo had been shot and wounded.
SHERIFF PATRICK CANNON, DADE COUNTY "The homeowner came home..was checking his mail, went back to the rear of the house to enter the home. "
The shooting occurred on the back patio.
SHERIFF PATRICK CANNON, DADE COUNTY "When the perpetrator exited the home..he did shoot a round..undetermined caliber at this point and time...and it did make contact with the homeowner..where did it hit him..I believe in the side."
The victim, Mr. Vaughn, was taken by EMS to a Chattanooga hospital,where his wound is not considered life-threatening.
The suspect is described as a white male with red facial hair, wearing blue jeans and a light colored shirt.
A manhunt was launched that included K-9 units, the Georgia Highway Patrol and the GBI.
Officers believe the shooter ran from the house and through a cemetery behind Slygo Valley Holiness Church.
That's where officers picked-up the trail.
SHERIFF PATRICK CANNON "Well, the k-9 dogs are multi-task dogs..they do track and we have another k-9 team coming in right now."
The Highway patrol Helicopter arrived later and picked up the sheriff who had been searching through the woods.
He directed the search from the air while other officers made their way toward Sand Mountain on the ground.
Its not known how the shooter arrived at the house, but no suspect vehicle was found.
One officer said they are checking into the possibility that the man was picked up by an accomplice on nearby Hales Gap Road.
The investigation continues.
