TL;DR: A 43-year-old Baxley man was arrested after investigators said he shot at a Georgia game warden who was looking into an illegal-hunting report. Neither man was injured, and the warden's encounter is now a criminal case.
A Baxley man was arrested after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said he shot at a game warden investigating an illegal-hunting report in rural Appling County, Georgia. Stewart Nencioni, 43, was arrested on Oct. 24, the GBI said.
The encounter happened at about 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, investigators said. The game warden was not injured, and Nencioni also was not injured after he ran from the scene and was detained nearby by Appling County Sheriff’s Office deputies.
Nencioni was charged with aggravated assault against a public officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and he was booked into Appling County Jail. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
An illegal-hunting call that turned into gunfire
Game wardens in Georgia enforce hunting, fishing and wildlife laws, often working alone in rural areas and at night. In this case, the warden was investigating a report of illegal hunting when, according to the GBI, Nencioni shot at him.
Investigators have not said how many shots were fired, what kind of firearm was involved, or how close the warden came to being hit. What is clear from the official account is that the warden escaped injury and that deputies were able to detain Nencioni nearby after he fled.
The charges and why they matter
Aggravated assault against a public officer is a serious charge in Georgia because it covers an attack on someone carrying out official duties, in this case a conservation officer in the field. The second charge, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, adds a separate penalty if prosecutors prove a gun was used while committing the assault.
Together, the charges signal that prosecutors are treating the incident not as a hunting violation alone but as an alleged attack on an officer. The underlying illegal-hunting allegation itself has not been detailed in the public account so far.
What the investigation will look at next
The GBI said the investigation remains active. Investigators will likely examine the scene, the firearm if one was recovered, and the warden’s account of the encounter, as well as any hunting activity that prompted the original report.
Whether additional charges follow, including hunting-related charges, will depend on what that investigation finds. For now, the case rests on the two charges already filed and the account of a warden who walked away unharmed.
A reminder of the risks of field enforcement
Game wardens and conservation officers often work in remote places, at night and without backup close at hand. An encounter that begins as a routine check on hunting activity can turn dangerous in seconds, which is why agencies treat shots fired at an officer as a major incident even when no one is hurt.
Anyone with information about the incident can contact the GBI, which continues to investigate.
Featured image: representative scene photo, not a photo of the people or the exact location in this case. Image source: police scene photo
Sources: News Now Georgia / Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Conservation officers in Georgia are fully certified law enforcement officers, with authority to enforce state laws beyond wildlife regulations. That status is part of why an attack on a warden is charged as an assault on a public officer: the officer was not a bystander, but a representative of the state carrying out a lawful investigation when the shots were allegedly fired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Appling County case?
Stewart Nencioni, 43, of Baxley, Georgia, was arrested on Oct. 24.
What is he charged with?
Aggravated assault against a public officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Who was shot at?
A Georgia game warden who was investigating an illegal-hunting report in rural Appling County.
Was anyone injured?
No. Neither the warden nor Nencioni was injured, according to the GBI.
When did the encounter happen?
At about 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2026.
How was Nencioni caught?
The GBI said he ran from the scene before Appling County Sheriff’s Office deputies detained him nearby.
Is the investigation ongoing?
Yes. The GBI said the investigation remains active.
