Police investigate claims football coach pulled gun on former coach
HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - McDonough Police are investigating claims that a football coach pulled a gun on a former coach, right after the team's conditioning workout.
Both coaches are now banned from Henry County parks, according to the county's Parks and Recreation Department.
"[I was] in awe. I was like... are you seriously doing this in front of kids?" said Darrell Heflin, who claimed a coach for the McDonough Cougars displayed two weapons to him after a dispute.
The alleged incident happened at Avalon Park, where the team conditions for the fall season.
Heflin said he was recently relieved of his volunteer coaching duties at the end of May, and was transporting equipment to the park when the coach allegedly confronted him in the parking lot.
In the report obtained by FOX 5, Heflin claimed the coach brandished a weapon while the man sat in his vehicle, then exited the vehicle and displayed another weapon.
McDonough Police told FOX 5 investigators are still interviewing people in the alleged incident.
FOX 5 could not reach the other coach that's being accused of brandishing a weapon.
Officials with Henry County said the team is run by an independent contractor, and no involved coaches are county employees. A Henry County spokesperson released the following statement:
"Although this alleged incident was between two coaches and not in the presence of children, Henry County Parks and Recreation places the safety and security of children first and takes any allegations of violence or the threat of violence very seriously. The welfare of our children is our top priority."
The head of the McDonough Cougars would not answer FOX 5's questions, but sent FOX 5 a message stating that their organization is investigating the incident internally.
Although the McDonough Youth Association's website still states it runs the McDonough Cougars, the president of the association informed FOX 5 that their association legally severed ties with the football program months ago.