A domestic violence incident in Coal City led to one man being arrested after he fired shots into the air.
On Wednesday, May 12, a West Virginia State Trooper responded to a 911 call stating that a domestic was currently in progress at a home in Coal City.
Upon arrival, a witness allegedly told the officer to “be careful” that the suspect, Christian Michael Gilbert, 31, “has a long gun and is crazy,” according to the criminal complaint filed in Raleigh County.
The officer was able to restrain Gilbert and noted that he was “very intoxicated” and “uttered that he had drank a half gallon of whiskey,” the complaint states.
During the investigation, the victims stated that Gilbert had been drinking heavily all day. After an argument over unacceptable behavior, Gilbert “became belligerent . . . pulled out a 9mm loaded Taurus G3C pistol and pointed it at [one victim].”
After shouting at his victims, Gilbert started shooting rounds into the air near one victim’s home and surrounding homes, the complaint continues.
The officer was able to recover the firearm and shell casings found at the scene.
Gilbert was placed under arrest and is currently at Southern Regional Jail on three felony counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, one misdemeanor count of brandishing, two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault, one misdemeanor count of shooting within 500 feet of a dwelling and one misdemeanor count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. A surety/cash bail has been set at $15,000.
