Soldotna man is facing charges of assault and theft after he reportedly shot another man with a shotgun over an altercation about stolen beer, according to an Oct. 31 affidavit filed at the Kenai Courthouse.
At about 12:17 a.m. on Oct. 31, Alaska State Troopers responded to the residence of Johannes Stott, 20, of Soldotna where it was reported that someone had been shot following an argument. At the scene, they found a man who was bleeding from his leg with a witness applying pressure to the wound. The injured man was taken to Central Peninsula Hospital and later flown to Anchorage for treatment, according to the affidavit.
According to troopers, the witness said they were at a party in Sterling when they noticed that someone had stolen several cases of beer from the house. The witness, the injured man and a third person went to the house of Johannes Stott, 20, of Soldotna, whom they believed had stolen the beer, to confront him, according to court documents.
An argument ensued that ended with Stott allegedly shooting one of the men in the leg with a shotgun, according to court documents.
According to troopers, Stott initially said that the three showed up and began threatening him, so he fired his shotgun and hit one of them, but denied being at the party or stealing the beer.
Other witnesses at Stott’s residence said that Stott had left the house for “about 30 minutes” and returned with three cases of beer, and Stott was bragging about how he had stolen the beer from a party in Sterling. After speaking with troopers again, Stott admitted to stealing the beer from the party, according to court documents.
Troopers seized the three cases of beer, which were estimated at $50 in value.
Stott is facing one count of first-degree assault, a Class A felony, one count of fourth-degree theft, a Class B misdemeanor, and one count of fourth-degree misconduct involving a weapon, a Class A misdemeanor.
Reach reporter Brian Mazurek at bmazurek@peninsulaclarion.com.
