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COPPERTON — A man in custody is claiming self-defense after allegedly shooting at his neighbor and relative.
Around 9:30 a.m. Monday, Unified police received notice that David Allen, 38, had shot at his neighbor, who was also his relative, and was inside a home with the gun.
Police said the victim approached Allen when he heard him yelling at two children next door about a dog. The victim went into Allen's home, telling him to stop yelling at the children, who were aged about 11 and 13.
At that point, Unified Police Department Det. Jared Richardson said, Allen produced a handgun and told the relative to leave the house. As the victim went to exit the back door of the house with one of the children, Allen shot in the air, "barely missing him," Richardson said.
The victim called police, who responded, taking Allen into custody peacefully. Upon entering the house, they found the victim's son.
Both children were returned to the custody of their mothers Monday morning.
Allen was arrested and booked on two counts of attempted homicide. The relatives' histories were unknown Monday, but Allen claimed he had fired in self defense.
Richardson said police believed alcohol may be a factor, and possibly, drugs.
