The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has arrested a 43-year-old Baxley man following an incident Friday evening in Appling County. According to the GBI, a DNR Game Warden was investigating a report of illegal hunting when a man allegedly fired shots at the officer.

Fortunately, no one was injured. The suspect faces charges of aggravated assault against a public officer and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

Read the full GBI press release below.

GBI Arrests Baxley Man for Aggravated Assault Against a Public Officer

Baxley, GA (October 24, 2026) – The GBI has arrested and charged Stewart Nencioni, age 43, of Baxley, GA, with Aggravated Assault Against a Public Officer and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Appling County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) requested the GBI to investigate a shooting incident involving a DNR Game Warden.

On October 23, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., a DNR Game Warden was following up on a report of illegal hunting in a rural area in Appling County when a man, later identified as Nencioni, shot at the Game Warden. Nencioni then ran away, and Appling County Sheriff’s Office deputies detained Nencioni nearby.

Neither the DNR Game Warden nor Nencioni were injured in the incident.

Nencioni was arrested and booked into the Appling County Jail.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

richard.dial@gbi.ga.gov