A Kunkletown man, charged with shooting a gun in the direction of a car where his wife was seated, entered a guilty plea in Carbon County court on Tuesday and was sentenced to a prison term.

Randolph C. Shipwash, 68, pleaded to one count each of aggravated assault, as a felony 2, and terroristic threats, before Judge Joseph J. Matika. In exchange for the plea two misdemeanor counts, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, were dropped.

Matika sentenced Shipwash to serve 9 to 23 months in the county prison. Shipwash, however, will not spend the major part of that sentence in prison. He is at the state hospital for the mentally ill in Norristown. He has been at the facility since last July, being transferred there from the county prison where he was being held on $150,000 bail.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by trooper Ryan English of the Lehighton barracks of the state police:

At 1:11 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, police were dispatched to a home on 57 Road in Lower Towamensing Township and took Shipwash 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 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. 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.

Defense attorney Matthew J. Rapa told the court his client has no prior contacts with law enforcement and that the incident is out of character. He said Shipwash’s wife has a protection from abuse order in place for the next three years.

In addition to the prison term Matika ordered Shipwash to remain at the hospital until discharged by authorities. He was also ordered to have no contact with his wife or go on their property, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of over $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole.

He was given credit for 223 days already served in the county prison and at the Norristown hospital.