Wilson pleads not guilty

DAYTON–Charges of third-degree assault and drive-by shooting received a not-guilty plea from Joshua B. Wilson, 25, of 104 Rose Guld Road, Shangri La R.V. Park, Dayton, stemming from an incident on Sunday, June 6, 2021, allegedly fired a shotgun that struck a 40-year-old man, causing his hospitalization.

Wilson made his plea in an arraignment hearing in Columbia County Superior Court, before Judge Brooke J. Burns, and represented by Angela R. Garratt, on June 9.

An omnibus-trial setting hearing was set for June 23.

Assault in the third degree is a Class C Felony, alleges criminal negligence in causing harm to victim Justin G. Karl, 40, 104 Rose Gulch Road, Dayton. Maximum penalty, if convicted, is five years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine.

The second charge Wilson faces is Drive-By Shooting, a Class B Felony, and it charges that Wilson "recklessly discharged a firearm...in a manner which created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, and the discharge was either from a motor vehicle, or from the immediate area of a motor vehicle that was used to transport the shooter or the firearm, or both, to the scene...." Maximum penalty for the charge, if convicted, is 10 years imprisonment and/or $20,000 fine.

According to the police report, Deputy Jeff Jenkins was dispatched to Shangri La RV Park at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, June 6, where he encountered Karl lying on the ground in front of Space A and bleeding, apparently from wounds to his chest and abdomen. Jenkins rendered first aid and Columbia County Fire District 3 ambulance was summoned. Karl was transported to Dayton General Hospital, then airlifted to Kadlec.

According to the police report, Karl received injuries to his liver, intestines and other trauma to his abdomen.

There were additional "bullet holes" in a parked car and travel trailer.

A witness stated to Sheriff Joe Helm that a "large animal" was heard attacking something in the brush next to his trailer. He contacted Wilson and the pair drove down a side road where Wilson exited the vehicle with a shot gun. The witness claimed to see "yellow eyes" and Wilson allegedly fired the weapon as the witness yelled at Wilson not to shoot due to the close proximity of trailers.

The Sheriff's Office report indicates Wilson left the scene with the shotgun to contact his father, Gary Wilson, owner of the RV park, and to call 9-1-1. Wilson allegedly hid the shot gun then went to a friend's trailer where he was located the following morning and taken into custody. He did not call 9-1-1, the report stated.