Pressing any charges against a sitting sheriff in a case like the one surrounding Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill could be a complicated process.

Gwinnett County Police say Hill called 911 to report a shooting Sunday, May 3 at 2567 Britt Trail Drive in unincorporated Lawrenceville.  The call came in at 5:39 p.m.

"The shooter has been identified as Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill," says Gwinnett Police Cpl. Deon Washington's statement.  "The shooting has been reported as accidental."  The female victim was shot in the abdomen.

WSB legal analyst Ron Carlson says the Georgia law is highly protective of law enforcement officers.  Any arrest warrant must come from a judge.

"With a high-profile case like this, a superior court hearing on the warrant is going to be very, very advisable," says Carlson.  Once issued, the district attorney would then have to decide charges.  Currently, the most serious possible charges would be aggravated assault.

Carlson says complicating the investigative efforts to find out what happened is that Hill hasn't said anything other than whatever he told the 911 dispatcher.  He did not talk to detectives.  The victim has so far been unable to talk to police.

Meanwhile, Clayton County's leadership wants to assure its citizens that public safety won't suffer.

Commission Chairman Jeff Turner, a former police chief, says he will not jump the gun and draw conclusions on a pending investigation, but he says the Clayton County Sheriff's Office is more than just the sheriff.

"The men and women that are currently operating the sheriff's department--the management, the supervisors, and the men and women working the street--I have total confidence in them," says Turner.  "Not saying that I don't have confidence in the sheriff.  He's been doing a pretty good job."

Both Turner and District 1 Commissioner Sonna Singleton Gregory say their overriding concern is the health of the shooting victim, and that their prayers are with her.

"My only thoughts, really, are for the young lady who is fighting for her life," says Singleton Gregory.

Turner had similar sentiments.

"My prayers go out to the young lady, and we're hoping and praying for a full recovery for her," said Chairman Turner.  "The rest is secondary compared to her well-being.  Hopefully, she'll make it through."