Felony weapons charges were filed this morning in Jasper County Circuit Court against a Carthage man who allegedly fired three shots and threatened to shoot his 15-year-old daughter in the head Sunday for having a mixed-race boyfriend.
The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney’s office charged Anthony Joseph Bowles (DOB 1986) with unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The allegations against Bowles are detailed in the probable cause statement:
Upon arrival, Victim 1 (15-year-old-female) immediately exited the house followed by Anthony Bowles. Victim 1 was visibly upset and crying. Victim 1 informed me Anthony had a firearm in his possession and described a black pistol.
Victim 1 informed me Anthony had fired the gun three times outside the house. Victim 1 advised Anthony threatened to shoot her with the pistol. I asked Victim 1 to tell me further about being threatened.
Victim 1 said, “There is this guy, I like and he’s mixed. My dad doesn’t like black guys. So, he was calling him the N-word and saying I deserve to be shot in the head because I was a N-word lover and then he was saying stuff about the dog how they were whining and that’s when he shot the gun three times and he just kept on saying I was a whore and I deserve to be shot and that’s when I called my sister because I was scared.”
Anthony informed me his wife has a 9mm pistol inside the house, but it should be in a locked container under their bed. Anthony claimed of having no knowledge of where the firearm would be if not in the locked container.
Anthony denied firing the pistol or being in possession of it. Anthony claimed the altercation was over Victim 1’s grades, a boy she wanted to date, and their dog having an accident inside the house.
A neighbor informed another Deputy that she heard three shots come from the direction of Anthony’s residence prior to our arrival. A search warrant was obtained for the residence.
Inside of Anthony’s room and under his bed, a black Hi-point handgun was located wrapped in a blanket. The firearm was not secured and Anthony had access to it while inside the residence. Nobody else was home during the incident besides Victim 1 and Anthony. Nobody entered into the residence after our arrival.
On the front porch, three spent handgun shell casing were located. This matched Victim 1’s description of the firearm and location of shooting.
The probable cause statement notes Bowles has been convicted of five felonies:
Dade County Circuit Court- theft of a firearm 2006
Lawrence County Circuit Court- leaving the scene of an accident 2006
Dade County Circuit Court- Forgery 2012
Dade County Circuit Court- Forgery 2015
Dade County Circuit Court- Forgery 2015
Originally appeared on The Turner Report
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