Andrew Walters

WEST LIBERTY — A borough man is accused of firing a shotgun blast Wednesday during an apparent domestic dispute at his Church Road home.

Moments earlier, state police said, he had the gun pointed at three people who were trying to get away in a car. No one was hurt.

Police arrested Andrew Jacob Walters, 24, following the altercation about 1:45 p.m.

District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned the suspect on three felony charges of aggravated assault.

He also is charged with three counts of simple assault, two counts each of terroristic threats and reckless endangerment, and one count of disorderly conduct.

Walters remains in the Butler County Prison on $100,000 bail.

Investigators suspect the trouble started that afternoon when a woman went to the defendant’s house to pick up some of her belongings.

Documents did not indicate the woman’s relationship with Walters. A telephone call to police was not immediately returned this morning.

A female relative accompanied the woman to the house in a car occupied by a 4-year-old boy.

While the women and child were at the house, Walters returned. A short time later, he came out of the basement with a gun.

While the victims tried to flee in their car, Walters allegedly yelled something and pointed the gun at them.

In their getaway, documents said, the victims reported hearing a gunshot. They eventually drove to a convenience store in Brady Township and called police.

Police about 2:50 p.m. got to the defendant’s house and surrounded it. Following several minutes, police said, Walters came out the back door and was arrested.

He told troopers where they could find the 12-gauge shotgun, documents said.

His preliminary hearing is set for Wednesday at the office of District Judge William O’Donnell in Slippery Rock.