William Edward Willard, 80, of Elkmont is charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle. Investigators said he was at his girlfriend's home on Putman Circle when the incident occurred. They believe it is part of a neighborhood dispute.
"This has been an ongoing problem in that particular community there," said Sheriff Mike Blakely.
Video obtained by the Sheriff's Office shows Nannie Johnson, 67, driving a truck through the yard. That's when, investigators say, Willard fired two shots from a .44 magnum rifle at the truck. One bullet struck the passenger door.
Johnson gained infamy in 2010 after investigators discovered more than 40 dead dogs at her home, many in her freezer. She was later found not guilty by reason of mental disease and spent time at the V.A. Hospital.
Deputies arrested Johnson on reckless endangerment charges on June 18 after she allegedly tried to run over another neighbor.
Blakely said his office has responded to a handful of calls to Putman Circle in the last month alone because neighbors claim she continues to terrorize them.
"I understand the people in the community's frustration," he said. "Believe it or not, we're very frustrated that we constantly have to be barraged with calls."
"Looking at the video, she had no right being in the people's yard. It definitely was an act of trespassing, but from watching the video, I don't think anybody reasonable would conclude that she was trying to actually run over anyone," said Blakely.
No one was hurt in the incident.
Willard's daughter told WHNT News 19 that he was concerned Johnson would run over his girlfriend. The daughter added that he was aiming for Johnson's tires with his second warning shot, but hit her truck door instead.
"It's really a wonder that it didn't kill her or shoot some innocent bystander there in the neighborhood," said Blakely.
Willard is out of jail on a $5,000 bond.
Meanwhile, deputies also arrested Nan Johnson on active warrants for harassment and reckless endangerment. Her bond has been revoked. She will remain in jail until her August 5 bench trial. Blakely said his office will look to have her committed.
VIDEO NEWS CLIP:
(WHNT - July 2, 2015)
Earlier:
- Alabama: Nannie Johnson found with more than 40 dead dogs stuffed in her freezers, another 29 live dogs "severely emaciated"
- Alabama: Nannie Johnson, charged with animal cruelty, to be psychologically evaluated
- Alabama: Puppy mill breeder Nannie Johnson, accused of keeping dead dogs in freezer, pleads not guilty
- Alabama: Breeder Nannie Johnson who was accused of hoarding, starving and keeping more than 40 dogs that died of neglect in her freezers found not guilty by reason of insanity
