A 47-year-old Creston man is in jail after allegedly firing at his son with a shotgun, striking him in the face either with shot, a ricochet, a rock or other debris.

James Gonzales is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after the July 12 incident.

According to a court document, Flathead County deputies responded to Gonzales’ Deerfoot Trail home after his 23-year-old son, Cote, reported Gonzales had shot him in the face with a shotgun. 

Cote told deputies he was in his driveway when his father called him over. As he approached, his father allegedly reached for his shotgun, aimed at him and fired while they were between 20 and 30 yards apart.

A witness at the scene said she and her friend had been walking past the home when they heard gunshots, then a man say, “You shot me in the face,” followed by Gonzales yelling, “I’ll do it again,” before he cocked the gun, got into his car and sped away.

Cote’s sister then pulled up to the house and said ,“My dad is going to shoot Cote and kill him,” according to the court document.

Another witness heard two gunshots as he drove past the home and then saw Cote in the road waving his arms to get him to stop. When he stopped, Cote approached and told him his father had shot him. The witness let Cote use his phone to call law officers.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry said Cote was adamant that he didn’t want to press charges because it was his father, even refusing to fill out a statement. 

The Flathead County Attorney’s Office decided to file charges of its own accord a week after the incident, once Cote had been re-interviewed.

Curry said it is unknown exactly how the shooting happened or what actually struck Cote.

“It is unclear whether he was struck by pellets from the shotgun or by things that kicked up off the ground, although he did have minor injuries,” Curry said.

According to the police report, Cote had a small, superficial wound on his face.

Gonzales “did fire two rounds at least at him or in his vicinity, allegedly,” Curry said. “But obviously he didn’t just shoot him in the face.”

Gonzales was arrested at his home on July 19. If convicted of both charges, he faces up to 40 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. His arraignment hearing is scheduled Aug. 2.

Reporter Jesse Davis may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at jdavis@dailyinterlake.com.