Humphrey arrested for aggravated assault

By NATASHA LAFAYETTE

natasha@lafollettepress.com

A dispute between several young men was taken to the next level when the passenger of a vehicle fired his shotgun at an oncoming car last week.

Around 2:50 a.m. on Dec. 1, Joshua A. Humphrey, 18, of 405 Forks Groves Road in LaFollette, came to a stop in the eastbound lane of Old Highway 63.

The vehicle, a white 1997 Kia Sephia, was traveling on the road when it came to a complete stop in front of an approaching vehicle, according to the Campbell County Sheriff’s Department warrant.

“The defendant (Humphrey) intentionally stopped his vehicle and blocked the roadway while the passenger exited the vehicle,” said Deputy Jason S. Heatherly.

According to Capt. Don Farmer, with the CCSD, the passenger was a juvenile.

The passenger proceeded to allegedly fire three to four shots at the victim, witness and the vehicle they were in, Heatherly said.

 Farmer said the victim had to swerve to avoid the shots, wrecking the vehicle in the process. He stated two people were in the vehicle being shot at. There were no injuries from the shots or crash.

“The defendant (Humphrey) did in fact assist the co-defendant in the violent crime,” Heatherly reported.

According to Farmer, a .20 gauge shotgun was recovered. The shots caused damage to the front windshield and bumper of the victim’s car and the crash caused additional damage.

The victim turned the car around and proceeded east of Old Highway 63 with Humphrey in pursuit, Farmer said.

“A juvenile has been charged in the shooting,” Farmer said regarding the pending arrest of the shooter.

Humphrey and the passenger were charged with two counts of aggravated assault and two counts if reckless endangerment.

Humphrey was arrested and later released on Dec. 2 on a $2,500 bond.