APOLLO — An 18-year-old man was charged with shooting his father during a fight between his parents, and the teen's attorney said his client only fired because he was worried about his mother's safety.

Jacob E. Leonard, told police his parents were arguing in the driveway of their Washington Township home on July 28 and that his father started driving an SUV while his mother, Kathy, was trying to enter the vehicle. Afraid that his mother was falling, Leonard fired several shots at the vehicle from a 9 mm pistol from a second-floor window.

The father, Dr. John M. Leonard, is recovering at home from the gunshot wound to the back.

Jacob Leonard remained free on bond after his arraignment Wednesday on attempted homicide and other charges.

His defense attorney, Robert Stewart, said his client only shot his father, who runs a horse veterinary practice, because of "what looked to be a life-threatening situation" that endangered his mother.

Jacob Leonard is living with his mother at another location. He faces a preliminary hearing Nov. 16.

By The Associated Press