Christian BallChristian Ball was charged Jan. 25 with aggravated assault for the love-triangle incident after he reportedly got mad at both women and dry-fired the weapon at the girlfriend's car after spitting in her face and threatening her, according to Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves.
Coffee County detective Jason Dendy said Thursday that Ball gave a statement admitting he pulled the trigger on the empty chamber of his .40-caliber Glock pistol while aiming it at the woman's car. The incident happened at 3846 Old Manchester Highway.
Authorities did not name the two women.
Ball was arraigned on the charge Jan. 26 and he has no attorney listed yet on court records, according to General Sessions Court officials.
Witnesses corroborated claims that Ball dry-fired the weapon at the woman, Dendy said. A court affidavit on the case states that Ball pulled the trigger while aiming the weapon at the alleged victim. The Glock was seized by investigators.
Dendy said the argument arose out of an argument among the three, who had a romantic relationship. Ball has no prior criminal history, according to Dendy.
Meanwhile, Ball has been suspended without pay from his firefighting job in Manchester, according to Manchester Mayor Lonnie Norman.
Norman said no decision has been made yet on Ball's future with the department.
A permanent decision will be made after Ball's case is concluded and officials consult the town's legal counsel, he said.
The suspension extends at least until Ball's court hearing Feb. 13, the mayor said.
"As far as I know, he was a good fireman," Norman said. "But you've got to be careful. You can't make mistakes, it'll haunt you."
Norman said the loss of Ball from the fire department staff means the post will have to be covered by a volunteer or through overtime of another firefighter.
Ball remains free on $25,000 bond, according to officials at the sheriff's office.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben. benton1 or 423-757-6569.