Baxley Man Arrested After Shooting at Georgia Game Warden Investigating Illegal Hunting
BAXLEY, Ga. — A 43-year-old Baxley man was arrested after authorities said he fired a gun at a Georgia Department of Natural Resources game warden investigating a report of illegal hunting in rural Appling County.
Stewart Nencioni, 43, faces charges of aggravated assault against a public officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
The shooting occurred Friday, October 23, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m.
According to the GBI, the DNR game warden was following up on a report of illegal hunting in a rural area of Appling County when a man, later identified as Nencioni, fired a gun at the officer.
Nencioni fled the area following the shooting.
Deputies with the Appling County Sheriff’s Office responded and detained Nencioni nearby.
Neither the game warden nor Nencioni was injured during the incident.
GBI Investigating Shooting Involving Game Warden
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Appling County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI to investigate the shooting.
GBI agents subsequently arrested and charged Nencioni with two felony offenses:
- Aggravated assault against a public officer
- Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
Nencioni was booked into the Appling County Jail.
The GBI announced the arrest Saturday, October 24, and said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
