A Vancouver man suspected of shooting an acquaintance of his neighbor appeared in court Friday on suspicion of first-degree assault.
Joseph Jordan Carswell, 26, was at home with his girlfriend at 1910 Todd Road at about 3 p.m. Thursday when he heard an altercation outside, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.
His girlfriend, Jennifer Elwood, was in the fenced front yard when a friend of a neighbor, Eugene Waldo, approached the house and the two got into a disturbance, the affidavit stated.
Police said that the investigation showed the altercation was over owed money.
Carswell came outside and told Waldo to leave. When he refused, Carswell went back inside his residence to retrieve a 20-gauge shotgun and loaded it with one round, according to the court document.
He came back outside and told Waldo to leave again, according to the court document.
Waldo refused and began to advance toward the gate to the property when Carswell discharged his shotgun, striking Waldo, the affidavit states. Police said that the gunshot wounded Waldo’s left arm. The wounds were not life-threatening.
The investigating officer noted in the affidavit that Waldo was not armed and made no indication verbally or otherwise that he intended to hurt or assault Elwood or Carswell.
Carswell was arrested without incident.
During Friday’s hearing, Carswell’s appointed attorney Louis Byrd argued for a lower bail, claiming the wound was superficial, but Clark County Judge John Fairgrieve set bail at $100,000.
Carswell’s arraignment was scheduled for Sept. 25.
