Two arrests made in Vidalia shootout

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 4, 2010

VIDALIA — Two Vidalia men who allegedly started slinging bullets Wednesday afternoon soon found themselves thrown behind bars.

Wilford Matchett, 39, 203 S. Oak St., and Christopher Mark Walker, 20, 100 S. Hickory St., were both arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm following the incident.

The alleged shoot-out happened on South Oak Street at approximately 4 p.m., Police Chief Ronnie G. “Tapper” Hendricks said.

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“Mr. Walker drove by and started to shoot at Mr. Matchett, who in turn pulled a gun and returned fire,” Hendricks said.

Both men used revolvers, Hendricks said.

No motive has been determined for the shooting, and the police chief said no one was struck during the exchange of gunfire.

When police picked up the two men involved in the incident, they both freely admitted to firing the shots, Hendricks said.

“I am glad that no one got hurt, that no innocent bystanders or people in their houses were hurt,” Hendricks said.

Both men were detained without bond Thursday.