Shotgun-Wielding Grandpa Faces Felony Charges

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

HOUSTON COUNTY – A 66-year-old grandfather was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly fired a shotgun at his granddaughter’s boyfriend.

Crockett resident Dan Allums was taken into custody by Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies on Tuesday, Dec. 27 after he became angry his granddaughter’s boyfriend was visiting her and allegedly shot at the boyfriend as he attempted to leave the residence.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, HCSO Sgt. Ryan Martin was dispatched to a residence on County Road 4530 in reference to reports of gunfire. As Martin was traveling towards the location, he was advised by dispatch the person who reported the gunfire had departed the CR 4530 location in a silver vehicle and was headed towards Crockett with his emergency hazard lights flashing.

The deputy located the vehicle and made contact with the driver approximately six miles east of Crockett on Hwy. 7, according to the affidavit.

The driver of the silver vehicle spoke with Martin and advised him of what had recently transpired. The affidavit reported the driver identified himself as the complainant, as well as the boyfriend of Allum’s granddaughter, and informed the deputy he had been at the residence along CR 4530 visiting with his girlfriend and her grandmother when Allums arrived at the residence.

“(The complainant) said that Allums became angry that he was at the residence and said something to the effect of ‘I want that b**tard out of my house.’ (The complainant) said he told Allums he would leave,” according to the affidavit.

The affidavit indicated as the complainant was walking towards his vehicle, he heard the sound of a shotgun being racked, looked back over his shoulder and heard Allums say, “I’m fixing to shoot you, boy.”

Martin stated in the affidavit the complainant “… saw Allums step out onto the porch with a shotgun and fire a round into the air.”

At that point, as stated in the affidavit, the complainant began to hurry towards his vehicle and saw either his girlfriend or her grandmother push Allums down and kick the gun away from him.

“(The complainant) said that Allums regained control of the weapon and pointed it at him again. (The complainant) said that he saw the gun pointed at him and dove to the side as Allums fired again, striking the driver’s side front bumper/grill.”

In the affidavit, Martin reported he could see “… an obvious shotgun blast to the front of the car, with numerous pellet holes where (the complainant stated that Allums had shot).”

The complainant was taken to the HCSO for further questioning while other HCSO deputies traveled to the CR 4530 location to interview the grandmother and girlfriend. While the deputies were questioning the two females, the affidavit indicated the law enforcement officials discovered two recently discharged .20 gauge shotgun shells along with a .20 gauge shotgun.

In addition, the affidavit reported Allums had left the residence but had been stopped and detained. After corroborating the stories of the complainant, the girlfriend and the grandmother, Allums was arrested and transported to the Houston County Jail where he was booked into custody on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The assault charge is considered as a second degree felony. Under Section 12.33 of the Texas Penal Code, “An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than two years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.”

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].