• A Georgia camping trip turned into a nightmare when a father and daughter were brutally attacked by four adults. The daughter fought back in self-defense, while the father was left hospitalized in critical condition with a brain bleed and severe lacerations. Four suspects are now in custody.

HELEN, Ga. (TDR) — A peaceful weekend camping trip turned into a scene of terror in northeast Georgia, as a father and daughter were violently attacked by four individuals in what law enforcement has described as a vicious group assault.

Authorities with the White County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Krista Wilson, 44, Joshua Wilson, 42, Joshua Miller, 32, and Charles Miller, 39, all from Lula, Georgia, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery following a July 26 altercation at Low Gap Campground near Low Gap Creek in the town of Helen.

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According to deputies, Krista Wilson initiated the attack, confronting Gracee Waldon, 20, in what quickly escalated into physical violence. In a desperate act of self-defense, Gracee stabbed Krista during the altercation. That moment triggered a full-blown attack on both Gracee and her father, Bruce Waldon, 58.

“My dad was eating peanut brittle and fixing his fishing pole, and my sister was eating boiled peanuts,” said Brittanee Hollingsworth, another daughter, during a televised interview with WRDW.

“And my dad was attacked with a beer bottle on the side of the head, and cut him from his ear to the back of his neck, and was passed out on the ground.”

Authorities said Bruce was smashed in the head with a glass beer bottle, then beaten further while unconscious. Both victims were rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Gracee was listed in serious condition, and Bruce in critical condition, suffering from a brain bleed and requiring 40 stitches from ear to neck.

“This is just an act of evil and just senselessness,” Hollingsworth told 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.”

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The sheriff’s office confirmed that all four suspects were identified and arrested after investigators reviewed the scene and took statements from witnesses.

“During the assault, the daughter stabbed her attacker in self-defense,” the sheriff’s office stated. “The father was struck with a glass beer bottle causing a severe laceration and assaulted while lying on the ground.”

A GoFundMe launched by Hollingsworth described the family’s ordeal and requested help covering medical bills, travel, and food during Bruce’s prolonged hospitalization.

“If you feel led to donate, all funds will go to medical bills, hotels, and food as we are unaware of his release date,” she wrote. “Above all, please continue to pray for my dad. My dad would give the shirt off his back without having another to put on.”

The daughter has since been released from the hospital, but Bruce remains under close watch due to the traumatic brain injuries he sustained.

Now, the family is turning to public advocacy, calling for a ban on alcohol at the campground where the assault occurred. They believe alcohol may have played a role in escalating the violence.

“I don’t understand why you would do this to a man that was with his daughter for a camping trip,” Hollingsworth said, describing the moment as unprovoked and cruel.

She also expressed concern that there may be additional attackers who have not yet been arrested.

“There were more people there,” she said. “We believe others were involved, and we want everyone held accountable.”

Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing, and more charges may follow as deputies continue to gather evidence and interview potential witnesses.

“These were two people enjoying a peaceful trip in the mountains—and they were blindsided,” one local law enforcement source noted. “This case isn’t closed yet.”

How does a family recover from a random act of cruelty—and what’s being done to stop it from happening again?

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