This man went ballistic on his family shooting his gun and using a sword. In sentencing he was mandated to anger management meetings, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a mental health evaluation.
Shepherd man admits endangering family with gun, sword
Gazette Staff | Posted: Monday, March 12, 2012 2:38 pm
A 45-year-old Shepherd man pleaded guilty Monday in District Court to a felony charge for shooting a gun and swinging a sword in his home where children were present.
Robert Douglas Herring appeared before Judge G. Todd Baugh and admitted to a single charge of felony criminal endangerment. Herring was allowed to remain free on a posted $30,000 bond while awaiting a sentencing hearing on May 8.
A plea agreement calls for Herring to receive a three-year deferred sentence. Prosecutors will also ask a judge to order Herring to undergo mental health and chemical dependency evaluations and follow all treatment recommendations.
The agreement also seeks an order requiring Herring to participate in Alcoholics Anonymous, complete anger management and parenting classes, write a sincere letter of apology to the victims and seek full-time employment.
Herring was charged for an incident on Jan. 25 at a residence on Bea’s Lane in Shepherd. During a 911 call, dispatchers heard gunshots and the caller said his father, Herring, had fired several times and might have hit his brother.
Seven other people, including four children, were inside the house at the time of the incident.
No one was injured in the gunfire, but witnesses said Herring fired at least four times and grabbed a sword when he ran out of bullets. Herring slashed two walls, a ceiling, a window, drapes and a light fixture with the sword before his wife was able to take the weapon from him.