A fight at a Christmas gathering in Gainesville, Georgia, reportedly turned violent around 3 a.m. when 42-year-old Carlos Hernandez Nicolas allegedly attacked 38-year-old Jose Turcios Garcia with a machete, severing the victim’s left thumb. The weapon was recovered and Hernandez Nicolas was arrested and booked on a felony aggravated battery charge, held without bond. The victim was treated and released from Northeast Georgia Medical Center and later booked on an unrelated failure-to-appear charge. Both men are under immigration holds while the Hall County Sheriff's Office continues its investigation.
Machete Attack at Gainesville Christmas Party Severed Man’s Thumb; Suspect Arrested
Illegal immigrant allegedly severs man's thumb with machete at Georgia Christmas holiday party
Police say a dispute at a Christmas gathering in Gainesville, Georgia, escalated into a violent machete attack in the early hours of Saturday.
Carlos Hernandez Nicolas allegedly attacked Jose Turcios Garcia with a machete during a Christmas gathering in Gainesville, Georgia, sending Garcia to hospital with an amputated left thumb.
According to the Hall County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), deputies responded to a home in Gainesville at about 3 a.m. after reports of an assault. Authorities identified the suspect as 42-year-old Carlos Hernandez Nicolas and the victim as 38-year-old Jose Turcios Garcia.
An iStock photo of a machete against a wooden background.
HCSO said the two men exchanged words that turned into a physical confrontation. During the fight, investigators allege Hernandez Nicolas grabbed a machete and struck Turcios Garcia, resulting in the amputation of the victim’s left thumb. The machete was later recovered at the scene.
The men got into a verbal argument beforehand that turned into a physical fight, Georgia police said.
Turcios Garcia was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment. He was released after receiving care and later booked on an unrelated failure-to-appear charge, the sheriff’s office said.
Hernandez Nicolas was arrested at the scene and booked on a felony charge of aggravated battery; he is being held without bond. HCSO said both men were placed on immigration holds and that the Hall County Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation.
What Authorities Confirmed
- Incident occurred at about 3 a.m. at a private residence in Gainesville, Hall County, Georgia.
- Victim suffered an amputated left thumb and was treated at a local medical center.
- Suspect arrested and charged with aggravated battery; weapon recovered at the scene.
- Both men placed on immigration holds; investigation remains active with HCSO.
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