Acworth man learns his sentencing in 2022 road rage shooting

ACWORTH, Ga. — A 63-year-old Acworth man has been sentenced following a harrowing road rage shooting that happened in 2022. 

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker sentenced Wade McEwen on Thursday to 30 years, with the first 10 years to be served in confinement. This is to be followed by probation.

McEwen was found guilty of a series of offenses, including aggravated battery, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, terroristic acts, reckless conduct and aggressive driving. 

It all stemmed from an incident on June 30, 2022, at the intersection of Woodstock Road and Highway 92 near CVS Pharmacy in Acworth. The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office reported that McEwen, while stopped at a red light, fired 14 rounds from a Glock .45 caliber handgun at the driver of a BMW in the adjacent lane. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his arm, side, and back.

Despite McEwen's claim of acting in self-defense, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey L. Fogus emphasized that the evidence presented during the trial painted a clear picture of excessive force and aggravated assault. 

"The defendant maliciously shot the victim by repeatedly firing multiple times, emptying the magazine as the victim drove off to save his life," Fogus said in a release from the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office. 

The prosecution's case, supported by 22 witnesses and nearly 300 exhibits, including surveillance video and images of the victim's injuries and vehicle, was enough for the jury to convict McEwen's guilt on all 14 charges.

“We cannot allow our roadways to become war zones, with drivers shooting at each in anger. This is not how a civilized society behaves, and this is not something Cherokee County will ever tolerate,” District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in the news release. “This sentence ensures that this defendant will be removed from our roadways, protecting our community and its citizens. Our hope is that this case will draw attention to how quickly aggressive driving can lead to violence.”