ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 9, 1996 TAG: 9608090026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: LISA K. GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A Giles County man is free on bond after firing several rifle shots at five men who he told deputies were hollering too loud near his home.
Henry Hopkins, 61, suffered minor bruises after a fight Sunday evening with the men at which he later shot. None of the five men was injured in the scuffle.
Hopkins argued verbally with the men about 6:30 p.m. along Virginia 654, near Hopkins' home in the Springdale section of the county, said Lt. Gary Price of the Giles County Sheriff's Office. The fight began when Hopkins confronted the men about yelling too loudly near his home, Price said.
The argument quickly turned physical and for about 10 minutes, Hopkins told police, it was five against one, Price said.
When the five men got in two cars to leave, Hopkins said one of the drivers bumped him with a car. Hopkins' stepson, who was also in the area, said the other driver drove a car at him. Price did not know the stepson's name.
Hopkins then got his vehicle and followed the men for a short distance, stopped and fired his rifle at the men.
Price said as a result of the investigation, the Sheriff's Office arrested Hopkins on five counts of attempt to maim. Each charge is a felony and carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Hopkins, in turn, took warrants out against three of the men. The men and the charges are: Brian Backus, 22, of Pearisburg, one count of assault; Kevin Slusser, 19, of Blacksburg, one count of attempt to maim with a vehicle; and Aaron Myer, 18, of Pearisburg, one count of attempt to maim or kill with an automobile.
Backus, Slusser and Myer all remain free on bond. Price said he did not know what bond was set for any of the men.
LENGTH: Short : 40 linesby CNB