Marshalltown man charged with child endangerment over alleged Airsoft gun incident
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A Marshalltown man has been charged with two counts of child endangerment and another count of assault over allegations that he shot two minor children and himself with a battery powered Airsoft gun last Thursday.
According to court records, Joseph Charles Carlson, 44, was sitting outside of his rural Marshalltown residence when he "began shooting a tree in the yard with a battery powered airsoft gun, resulting in the defendant shooting in front of the vicinity of where (victim one) was sitting."
"This resulted in (victim one) being shot in the ankle with an airsoft pellet, which (victim one) stated hurt and as a result left a red mark and bump on (victim one's) right ankle. The defendant then shot himself with the airsoft gun, and confirmed getting hit caused pain and discomfort," the complaint reads. "The defendant then asked (victim two) if she wanted to get shot with the Airsoft gun, which she stated she did not. The defendant then shot the airsoft gun near (victim two's) feet, which did not make contact with (victim two's) person due to (victim two) moving her feet out of the way. A short time later, (victim two) began walking away from the defendant. As (victim two) was walking away, the defendant picked up the airsoft gun and without justification, shot (victim two) in the back near her spine, resulting in a red mark and bump forming on (victim two's) back."
The BB gun used in the incident was an AR style airsoft gun. The complaint continues that Carlson "denied doing the acts intentionally, but stated he knew the manner in which he was using the airsoft gun around (the two victims) was irresponsible."
"The defendant denied shooting (the victims) with the Airsoft gun directly, and stated the marks they had sustained from the incident were most likely from airsoft pellets ricocheting off the surrounding area," it concludes.
Carlson was taken into custody on Saturday and was released from the Marshall County Jail after posting bond on Monday. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 3 at 9:30 a.m.