A Kunkletown man has been charged with shooting a gun in the direction of a car where his wife was seated.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Ryan English of the Pennsylvania State Police, Lehighton barracks in the case against Randolph Shipwash:

At 1:11 p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to a home on 57 Road in Lower Towamensing Township and took Shipwash, 67, into custody.

Shipwash’s wife told police Shipwash was working with their daughter and son-in-law pulling a well at their adjacent property. He asked his wife to move his 2003 Buick Century.

She said the car had a brake problem so she then coasted to the barn.

Shipwash asked her to pick him up and bring him to their house, but she told him she could not drive it and he started yelling at her. Her daughter gave Shipwash a ride, and she remained in the vehicle.

Shipwash went into the house and retrieved a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol and stood in the doorway and began shooting in her direction.

She said that she felt the rounds were traveling above the vehicle, but did not see where they hit. She said that a piece of tree or brush fell from above her, and she thought a round may have struck it.

She said Shipwash threatened her, saying, “The next one is going between your eyes.”

He also threatened to shoot her if she entered their home.

Their daughter told police she heard the arguments and the shots, so she went to check on her parents.

Shipwash was seated in the vehicle holding the gun with his finger on the trigger. She said he had a look of rage in his eyes and feared he may kill her mother and himself.

The daughter was able to get control of the gun, removed the magazine and called for troopers.

Troopers interviewed Shipwash and he said he and his wife were arguing because she moved his vehicle too far on his property and would not pick him up to take him to their residence.

Shipwash said he has a difficult time getting around due to medical issues, and was unable to walk to his house. He said he retrieved a pistol, and fired two rounds at a groundhog that was next to the barn and the vehicle where his wife was seated.

Shipwash said that he was trying to intimidate her. He fired one round between the trailer and the vehicle, which he believes struck the driveway.

Shipwash said that he had been in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years and was a good shot. He told troopers if he wanted to shoot his wife, he would have, and would have shot a few of the troopers as well.

Shipwash faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $150,000 monetary bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing July 16 before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.