Georgia Firefighter Severely Injured After Sword Attack Outside Wrightsville Gas Station is Recovering
WRIGHTSVILLE, GEORGIA — A Georgia firefighter is recovering in the hospital after being brutally attacked with a sword outside a Wrightsville gas station over the weekend. Authorities say the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Diamond Daspin Seltzer, was shot and killed at the scene by a police officer who witnessed the assault.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the violent encounter happened while firefighter Chad Wombles was standing outside the station speaking with a friend — a local law enforcement officer. Without warning, Seltzer allegedly approached and swung a Wakizashi-style sword, striking Wombles multiple times.
Firefighter’s Hands Severely Injured in Attack
Family members said that the attack left Wombles with catastrophic injuries, including the severing of his right hand and the loss of his left thumb. Witnesses reported chaos at the scene as bystanders tried to intervene while the officer quickly drew his weapon and fired, fatally striking the assailant.
“While we hope and pray for the best, the injuries and their implications are substantial and hard to comprehend or predict,” Wombles’ family said in a statement shared through an online fundraiser.
The firefighter was immediately transported to a nearby trauma center, where surgeons are working to repair the damage.
Investigation and Community Response
The GBI confirmed that the officer who fired at Seltzer was not injured and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Authorities have not released a possible motive for the attack, describing it as “unprovoked and extremely violent.”
The Wrightsville community has rallied behind Wombles, with an outpouring of support on social media and donations flooding into a GoFundMe campaign established to help cover his medical and recovery costs. As of Monday morning, the fundraiser had already surpassed $22,000 in contributions.
A Long Road to Recovery
Friends and colleagues describe Wombles as a dedicated firefighter and family man who has served his community for years. His department released a statement calling him “a fighter in every sense of the word” and asked the public to continue sending prayers during his recovery.
“He’s a hero who didn’t deserve what happened to him,” one supporter wrote online. “We’re praying for his strength and healing.”
Officials say the GBI’s investigation remains active, and further details about the attacker’s background and motive are expected in the coming days.
For updates on this developing story and other Georgia public safety news, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
