A Freeborn County mas is facing charges for allegedly firing a rifle and injuring a man who recently was seen attempting to steal his pickup.
James Vinton, 38, of Glenville was charged one Thursday in Freeborn County District Court with one count of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of intentional discharge of a firearm that endanger the safety of another, both are felonies.
On Sunday Evening, Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a residence near Gordonsville after a call was received from a woman that someone had stolen a blue Chevy pickup and that her husband had fired a gun into the air.
When Deputies arrived, they discovered the pickup in the ditch, up against a fence, with other men standing alongside the road. They then discovered a man sitting on the ground near the vehicle. Upon further investigation, it was learned that the man had been shot by Vinton and as a result, was unable to get up out of the ditch.
The man, who later admitted to stealing the pickup, was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and later flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester.
The Judge ordered that Vinton be placed in the Freeborn County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 7th.
The man who was injured after stealing the pickup truck is expected to make a full recovery. The man has not officially been charged, but authorities state the investigation is still ongoing.