Bartow County deputies arrested a local man after a domestic dispute turned violent early Wednesday.
70-year-old Herbert Felton Harper faces multiple felony charges after deputies say he pointed a handgun at a woman, fired a round through a door, and forced her from his residence at The Savoy Apartments at 34 Gilreath Road.
Deputies first checked a possible burglary call at the apartment around 2 a.m. on October 28th and found no forced entry. They returned soon after for a domestic disturbance.
Samantha Rose Schunior told deputies that Harper became paranoid, waved a silver-and-black handgun at her, threatened to shoot if she touched the back door, then fired one round through it and forced her outside. She hid behind a neighbor’s vehicle until the neighbor called 911. Schunior said she wanted to press charges.
A neighbor reported hearing the gunshot. The bullet also struck a Good Shepherd Foundation building nearby; the foundation’s director said the organization wanted charges filed.
Deputies called Harper out over a public address system. He complied. A search found suspected crack cocaine and methamphetamine in his pocket. He later admitted firing a Smith & Wesson 9mm through the door because he believed people were outside. Investigators recovered the loaded handgun inside after obtaining a search warrant.
Harper faces charges of aggravated assault, kidnapping, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, simple battery, and criminal trespass. An initial terroristic threats allegation was unfounded. He was booked into the Bartow County Jail.