WILLMAR -- A New London man made his first appearance Monday in Kandiyohi County District Court on felony charges of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and terroristic threats.
Jesse Gerald Keehn, 20, of New London, was arrested Friday evening after an incident at his home southwest of New London.
Keehn also faces a misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree assault.
Judge Michael J. Thompson released him on his personal recognizance with orders to have no contact with the alleged victim and to turn over his firearms until the case is resolved. His next court hearing was scheduled for July 14.
According to the criminal complaint filed in court, a neighbor's horse had gotten out of his pasture, and he was trying to corral the horse when Keehn drove his dirt bike past, causing the horse to run away. The neighbor told deputies he asked Keehn to not drive his bike on the road until his horse was back in the pasture.
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According to the complaint, Keehn offered to help catch the horse. When his neighbor declined, Keehn allegedly became angry and said he would drive anywhere he wanted to. He then told the neighbor to get off his property or he would shoot him, according to the complaint.
Keehn allegedly ran to his pickup, pulled out a 12-gauge shotgun and loaded it as the neighbor said, "Don't shoot me." Keehn then allegedly fired the gun into the air as he shouted at the neighbor.
Another neighbor who had witnessed the incident yelled at Keehn to put the weapon down, according to the complaint.
Keehn allegedly told Kandiyohi County deputies that he had fired the gun but never intended to shoot his neighbor.
