NEWS-LEADER (Springfield, Missouri) 07 October 13 Shot allegedly fired at snake strikes person (Jess Rollins)
After 25 beers — maybe more, police say — a Springfield man fired a handgun from a vehicle, trying to hit a snake slithering across the street.
Two shots hit the car’s roof, one struck a passenger’s head and a fourth shot actually made it across the street, court documents say.
Although the wound required three stitches, Erin Moad, the passenger, was not seriously injured, according to the documents.
Tyler C. Parker, 21, was charged Tuesday with second-degree assault as well as one count of “unlawful use of a loaded firearm by an intoxicated person.”
Deputies were alerted to the July 20 shooting when hospital staff reported a suspicious gunshot wound.
Investigators discovered the shooting occurred on Farm Road 239, near State Highway E. Four people were reportedly in the car.
Reports describe the handgun as a CZ52, a Czechoslovakian pistol that fires 7.62 mm bullets.
According to court documents, Parker admitted to shooting across the farm road at a snake while sitting on the door of the vehicle. He allegedly said he had drank 25 beers or more.
Officers say Parker had bloodshot eyes, a strong stench of alcohol and was later found to have a blood-alcohol content level of .220.
Prosecutors noted Parker had no prior criminal history.
If convicted, he could face as much as 11 years in prison.
Link