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Ty Ty man recalls being shot 10 times

By  Stephanie Springer  - bio | email

ALBANY, GA (WALB) –  It was a crime that shocked people in the small town of Ty Ty.

A man was robbed and shot ten times in his own driveway. He's recovering physically but he has huge medical bills and he's worried about his safety.

In the past three months, Joe Ware's life has changed drastically.

He had to close his pawn shop because he couldn't keep up with the costs, his injuries limit him to certain areas of work but most importantly he lives wondering if something similar could happen in the neighborhood again.

For 33 year old Joe Ware, coming home isn't what is used to be. "I'm thinking about moving, I want to get some place closer to the police," said Ware.

On August 25th, Ware was on his way home from working at his pawn shop, located right across from his house.

"I got as far as my driveway and there was two guys hiding in the bushes in my yard," said Ware.

He was holding a basket of money, he normally carries home after work. "They came out and held a gun to me and said give me the money or I'm going to shoot you," said Ware.

After that, everything became blurry. "I couldn't move my legs, there was so much blood in my eyes I couldn't see," said Ware.

Joe was shot ten times and robbed of all his money. "It's a lot of metal to be inside someone's hand and not have permanent damage," said Ware.

Joe spent five days in the hospital. He's back home now but lives wondering if or when something could happen again.

"I have this baby monitor and I've been staring out the window pretty much all day long with the TV and a baby monitor right next to each other," said Ware.

"It was quite surprising we never had anything like that it's a quiet little town," said Ware's neighbor Rubye Lastinger.

"I cut down several trees in my yard, the Magnolia tree and the palm so there would be no places to hide," said Ware.

On September 4th, police arrested and charged 32 year old Allestar Jackson Jr. with aggravated assault but just a few weeks ago he was released on a $10,000 bond.

"They got the guy and put him away and then he got let out," said Ware.

Jackson lives less than a mile from Ware's house. "The guy lives pretty close by. Its happened once who is to say it won't happen again," said Ware.

In the meantime, Joe hopes neighbors look out for one another because you never know when you may be able to help out someone in need.

Investigators say this is an ongoing case and they are actively searching for leads. They have not yet arrested the second suspect.

If you have any information on this case contact the Tift County Sheriff's Office at 229-388-6020.

If you would like to help with Joe Ware's medical bills. Donations accepted through the Joseph S. Ware Recovery Fund at First Community Bank.

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