Court records say a 56-year-old Stone County man was arrested Aug. 14 after authorities were called to a Highway 5 residence on a report of a violent incident and a man who had held a gun to the head of a victim.
Upon arrival, a Stone County Sheriff’s Deputy and a sheriff’s investigator reported in the arrest affidavit they made contact with the victim’s sister who reported Earl W. Freeman had allegedly struck the victim on the side of the head with a 32-ounce Yeti cup, then pulled the victim on the floor, struck them in the eye, threw them back in a chair, and began choking them. The affidavit noted the sister said Freeman then put a handgun to the victim’s head, reportedly told them they were “going to die,” and then pulled the trigger.
The gun misfired, making a snapping noise, and then Freeman left the residence, the affidavit said.
The sister also told authorities the situation started when Freeman became upset after ashes from the victim’s cigarette fell to the living room floor.
The victim’s sister noted in the court files she followed Freeman outside to talk to him, but in the process of leaving the residence in his SUV, she noted he ran over her right foot. She also told authorities Freeman was apparently armed with two pistols and three rifles, and he took the victim’s cell phone so they “could not call the law.”
Freeman was later located and arrested. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Freeman is facing two felony counts — aggravated assault and first-degree terrorist threatening — and a misdemeanor count of second-degree interference with emergency communication. He also was issued a no-contact order with the victim and the victim’s sister. He was jailed on a $20,000 bail.
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