Published: July 23, 2008 11:57 pm            

Newalla man charged in shootings

A Newalla man, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was arrested by Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office deputies Tuesday, after reportedly shooting at several men walking in the street in front of his residence, a man driving a four-wheeler and a man on the porch of a nearby home. Two of the victims were hit by projectiles, although no life-threatening injuries were reported.

Hubert Edwin Johnson, 52, was charged Wednesday with two felony counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon; three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon; and one misdemeanor count of carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.

According to court records, deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Clear Creek in Newalla, with the report of a man standing in the road shooting at others. The first victim told deputies he was driving by Johnson’s residence on a four-wheeler, when Johnson fired at him with what he believed to be a shotgun, striking him in the right arm.

Three other men told deputies they were walking down Clear Creek in front of Johnson’s house when Johnson came out with a pistol and “asked them if they had a death wish.” The three ran away, hearing shots and telling deputies they were being fired upon.

Another man said he was on his front porch, heard shooting and felt a sting in his right shoulder where he’d been shot.

Deputies called dispatch and had dispatchers call Johnson at his residence and tell him to come out with his hands in the air, empty of weapons. Johnson, when arrested around 10 p.m., reportedly told deputies he was shooting to scare off the men and had a right to protect his property.

“Mr. Johnson went on to say he owned to the center of the road and had the right to kill anyone on his property,” Sgt. Bruce Reynolds reported.

At Johnson’s residence, deputies found three rifles and a loaded shotgun inside the back door. On the back porch, they reportedly found a .357 six-shot revolver with six spent rounds in the cylinder. They also reportedly found three spent 12 gauge shells on the back porch, and a live shell in Johnson’s pocket.

Other felonies filed Wednesday include:

• Joyce Elaine Keen, 51, Norman, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous drug;

• Justin Robert Driskell, 21, Norman, unlawful possession of marijuana.

        

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