Cornelia Man Charged in Accidental Shooting

A 19-year old faces charges of reckless conduct after accidentally shooting one of his friends last week in Cornelia. Charles Riley was arrested following the shooting on September 3. According to a press release issued by the Cornelia PD, officers responded to Crown Point Apartments on Baldwin Road around 5 p.m. concerning “an accidental discharge of a 9mm handgun.”

Upon arrival, officers found 21-year old Arron Pope shot in the cheek. Riley and another man, 22-year old A.J. Gordy, told officers they had been playing with a pistol and “thought it was unloaded.”

Pope was transported to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center with several injuries to the face. His condition is unknown at this time.

Riley was arrested and transported to the Habersham County Detention Center. He remains in jail on $1,200 bond.

The case remains under investigation.