LECTA, Ky. — A Barren County man was charged early Friday evening with attempted murder after he shot toward his wife and son inside of a vehicle.
Authorities responded at 6:37 p.m. to 3596 Lecta Kino Road in reference to a complaint that a man had shot his 7-year-old son, according to the Barren County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies observed Mark A. Roberts, 30, walking toward the residence at the address along Lecta Kino Road. He was apparently walking back from a wooded area nearby.
Roberts was detained and a search warrant was executed at his home.
Authorities located 19 223/5.56 shell casings in the front yard of the home. An AR-15 rifle was located inside the home. The gun had 10 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“The rifle was on fire when deputies recovered it,” a citation said.
The victims were located in Cave City. Their vehicle had noted bullet holes in the windshield and side window.
Authorities said Robert’s “estranged wife, son, and two other individuals” were inside the car when police in Cave City discovered it.
Roberts revealed to authorities in an interview that he became angry at his wife “because of a picture he observed on her Google account.” He was also angry when his wife appeared at his home with their child and another man. Roberts is listed as married on his arrest citation, but the victim is noted as his “ex-wife.”
“He indicated he ran into the front yard to get a good line of sight so that he could shoot at the vehicle and believed that he wanted to kill who he believed was his estranged wife’s new boyfriend,” the citation said.
None of the individuals inside the car were struck directly by any of the bullets. One individual suffered an injury to his head though. It’s unclear who was struck.
Roberts is lodged at the Barren County Jail. He faces one charged of murder (attempt) and murder – domestic violence (attempt). No mugshot was immediately available.
Alcohol was also involved, according to the citation.
