Two Geneva Township men are facing charges in Western County Court in conjunction with an altercation at a North Ridge West home Wednesday evening.
Sheriff deputies report a shot was fired from a revolver owned by the 26-year-old man involved in the dispute. The bullet went into the ground, but the gun was discharged inches from face of the 49-year-old man, who is the uncle of the 26-year-old.
The dispute started when the 26-year-old and a brother approached the man about gasoline missing from a tractor. A witness said the uncle was suspected of stealing gasoline and money from the family, and the nephews decided to confront him.
The dispute quickly escalated into a physical match. The uncle allegedly grabbed the neck of the nephew who had the gun and also attempted to gain control of the pistol. The older man’s head struck a window during the altercation.
Both men had a hand on the gun and the nephew stated that when he felt the hammer engage, he pointed the revolver toward the ground.
The altercation broke up after the gunshot was fired. The deputy stated that upon arriving at the scene, 49-year-old was standing in the driveway, his head covered in blood as a result of the laceration from the broken window.
The nephew approached the deputy and surrendered the revolver. The gun owner also had a concealed carry weapon permit from Lake County. The permit has been suspended as a result of the incident.
The 26-year-old faces a felonious assault charge. His uncle was taken to the hospital for treatment of a concussion and laceration to his head. He faces a domestic violence charge.
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