A Salem man faces a felony charge in connection with allegedly shooting a truck on Oct. 25, according to documents filed in circuit court.
Allen D. Smith, born 2001, was charged in an Oct. 26 warrant with felony charges of armed criminal action, unlawful use of weapon, unlawful discharge of a firearm and three counts of first-degree assault plus one misdemeanor count of second-degree property damage. Smith was incarcerated in the Dent County Jail with no bond issued.
Law enforcement responded Oct. 25 to a report of a shot fired at a vehicle in Salem, according to the case’s probable cause statement. Upon arrival, the reporting party stated that while driving north on South Warfel Street with two passengers an unknown man with a white dog fired a gun at his truck, striking its bumper. Officers subsequently located a brass shell casing from the scene.
The statement notes based on the provided description officers theorized Smith fired the gun. It details Smith’s girlfriend was also known to be incarcerated in the Dent County Jail at the time. During a phone call recorded Oct. 25 from Smith to his incarcerated girlfriend he allegedly said, “Hey, I shot my gun again last night, I shot a ___ truck last night. How do I say this on a recorded line? The bullet hit the back of the truck.”
Upon being placed under arrest, the statement says Smith admitted to the shooting during an interview. He claimed the truck was following him around the night of the shooting, and stopped at one point to beckon his approach, at which point the occupants threw tabaco sauce on him. Smith said upon attempting to brandish the firearm it accidentally discharged.
The statement notes Smith had no stains on his clothing indicating hot sauce. A gun known to be owned by Smith was also located concealed in a vacant city lot.
The charges described above are merely an accusation and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
