Circleville Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Hatchet Attack

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A Circleville man has been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault after police say a victim was found suffering from a severe head injury following an alleged hatchet attack near West Mound Street last month.

According to court records and information released by the Circleville Police Department, officers responded around 5:30 a.m. on June 29 to the area of West Mound Street for a reported injured person.

When officers arrived, they found an injured man near the entrance of the AutoZone parking lot. Police said the victim had a large laceration to his head and was covered in blood.

Investigators said the victim told officers he did not remember what had happened.

During the investigation, police said a hatchet with suspected blood on it was discovered in a dirt lot near the railroad tracks across from AutoZone.

Police said surveillance footage from the area showed the victim with an unidentified man near AutoZone shortly after 5:00 a.m.

According to investigators, the footage appeared to show the suspect throwing an object into the area where the hatchet was later recovered.

Detectives identified the suspect as James Gillilan Jr..

Gillilan was later arrested by officers at a residence on Logan Street in Circleville.

He now faces charges of attempted murder and felonious assault. Court proceedings are pending, and the allegations remain accusations unless proven guilty in court.