COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A Union City man who is accused of firing off a sawed off shot gun and using a racial slur during a confrontation with his neighbor was arraigned on five charges during his Branch County District Court arraignment Tuesday afternoon.
30-year-old James Ray Van Wormer is facing felony counts of being in possession of a short barreled shot gun, assault with a dangerous weapon, felony firearm and ethic intimidation. He is also facing a misdemeanor for reckless use of a firearm.
Union City Police responded to a report of a fight and shots fired at an apartment in the 400 block of North Broadway at about midnight on Monday night.
Courts documents indicate Van Wormer was intoxicated and allegedly used the N word during the confrontation. Authorities say he fired the weapon into the air. At one point according to police, the weapon was pointed at the alleged victims back. The alleged victim was able to wrestle the gun away from the suspect who was later found unconscious in his apartment under a mattress with several firearms nearby.
Van Wormer was treated at Oaklawn Hospital before he was taken to the Branch County Jail. The alleged victim was not hurt.
Bond has been set at $75,000. A District Court probable cause hearing was scheduled for February 7 with a preliminary exam set for February 12, 2019. Van Wormer was ordered that if he should post bond, he was to have no contact with the alleged victim.
Union City Police were assisted by the Michigan State Police, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Tribal Police, the Calhoun County Sheriffs Department and LifeCare Ambulance.
