A peaceful camping trip in Georgia turned into a nightmare when a family was brutally attacked by a group of strangers on July 26 at the Low Gap Campground in Helen, a small mountain town near the Chattahoochee River.
Four individuals have been arrested, facing serious charges after the violent assault on a father and daughter that left both victims hospitalized.
The Attack and Victims’ Account
The assault began when Krista Wilson, 44, and Joshua Wilson, 42, along with Joshua Miller, 32, and Charles Miller, 39, allegedly attacked 20-year-old Gracee Waldon and her father, 58-year-old Bruce Waldon. According to the White County Sheriff’s Office, the attack was completely unprovoked.
Gracee Waldon stabbed Krista Wilson in self-defense when Wilson reportedly attacked her. Meanwhile, her father Bruce was struck with a glass beer bottle, causing a severe head injury. The attackers reportedly continued to beat Bruce while he was lying on the ground, rendering him unconscious.
The Aftermath and Medical Condition of the Victims
Both Gracee and Bruce Waldon were rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Gracee was initially in serious condition, while her father Bruce was in critical condition in the intensive care unit.
Bruce Waldon’s injury was particularly severe—a cut from his right ear to the back of his neck that required 40 stitches, and a brain bleed that will keep him hospitalized for an extended period.
Bruce’s daughter, Brittanee Hollingsworth, described the attack as an “act of evil” in an interview with CBS affiliate WRDW. “My dad is having a lot of nightmares and just wakes up screaming because he’s afraid that they’re going to come and try to hurt the rest of the family,” she said.
The family was simply enjoying their time at the campground when the attack occurred. According to Hollingsworth, her father was eating peanut brittle and fixing his fishing pole, while her sister Gracee was eating boiled peanuts when they were attacked from behind.
Legal Consequences and Arrests
The attackers, all from Lula, Georgia, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery. The investigation revealed that the altercation was completely unprovoked, with the group of four individuals assaulting the father and daughter.
The sheriff’s office also stated that Gracee Waldon acted in self-defense when she stabbed one of the attackers.
The Waldon family has since raised concerns about alcohol use at the campground, with Brittanee Hollingsworth suggesting that alcohol may have been a contributing factor to the violent outburst. They are calling for the campground to consider banning alcohol to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Family’s Call for Help and Support
As the family deals with the aftermath of the violent attack, they have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills, hotel stays, and food as they continue to care for Bruce Waldon. In the campaign, Brittanee Hollingsworth thanked those offering support and prayers, saying, “My dad would give the shirt off his back without having another to put on.”
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the incident, and the family hopes to bring attention to the dangers of alcohol-related violence, particularly in public spaces like campgrounds.
The Waldon family’s camping trip, meant to be a peaceful getaway, turned into a traumatic event that has left both victims physically and emotionally scarred.
As the investigation continues, the family calls for justice and greater safety measures at campgrounds, hoping that the attack will lead to changes that will protect others in the future.
