Woman Arrested After Shooting Boyfriend in Back, Shoulder

A woman has been arrested and charged with shooting her boyfriend twice in their eastern Cherokee County home.

According to a press release from the Cherokee Sheriff's Office, Jessica Couch, 31, has been charged with aggravated assault (FVA) and remains at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center without bond for the incident that occurred Sunday afternoon.

Deputies with the sheriff's office were dispatched at around 2:30 p.m. April 13 to 480 Hester Drive in the Free Home community. Once they arrived, deputies located David Welchel, 40, of Free Home, who had a gunshot would to his back and another to his shoulder.

Couch allegedly told authorities she shot Welchel because "she thought he was an intruder," said spokesman Lt. Jay Baker. Welchel was transported to North Fulton Hospital in Roswell where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries, Baker added.

Cherokee investigators arrived on the scene, and obtained a search warrant for the premises. Baker said the search uncovered a .22 caliber handgun, which investigators believe was the weapon used in the shooting.

Baker also said investigators learned both Couch and Welchel allegedly waited about two hours before they called 911 for help.

Couch later admitted to be high on methamphetamine at the time of the shooting, Baker stated. 

Also during the search, authorities discovered roughly eight copperheads and one rattlesnake in a cage inside the home. 

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources was contacted, and Baker said they plan to investigate the snakes' presence in the home. 

Couch is likely to face additional charges, Baker added.