WALLACE — A 64-year-old Wallace man accused of firing a shotgun inside his residence and throwing a cinder block that nearly struck another person made his initial appearance Monday in Shoshone County Magistrate Court. 

Robert C. Dubois Jr., 64, was arrested Friday, Aug. 7 and appeared before Magistrate Judge Keisha Oxendine on Monday afternoon, where he was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm at a dwelling house, occupied building, vehicle or mobile home, a felony; aggravated assault, a felony; and malicious injury to property, a misdemeanor. 

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Sgt. Sara Brazier of the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence on Silver Street in Wallace.  

Investigators allege the charges stem from two separate incidents. The first incident, on Aug. 6, reportedly involved the victim and Dubois returning home from Lewiston following a failed business venture.  

According to the affidavit, Dubois was upset during the trip and refused to stop, leading to one of the couple's dogs having "an accident" in the vehicle. Dubois reportedly began punching and kicking the dogs. This behavior prompted the victim to be concerned for her own safety as well, and she decided to leave the residence for the night because she did not feel safe remaining there.  

After reportedly telling Dubois, "Please don't destroy things," as she was leaving, Dubois then allegedly picked up a cinder block and threw it from the porch toward the victim's vehicle, striking the windshield approximately two feet from where she was standing. 

When the victim was asked if she believed Dubois intended to hit her, the affidavit states she replied, "uh huh...I think he'd have still thrown it if I was inside the car." 

The firearm charge is linked to a separate incident investigators believe occurred June 16. According to the affidavit, Dubois became upset after a light was left on in the residence and allegedly retrieved a firearm and discharged it inside the home. 

The affidavit states the shotgun blast struck a television and the wall behind it while another person was nearby. The victim described the incident as a "really scary moment" during an interview with deputies. 

Deputies later observed damage inside the residence consistent with photographs previously provided to investigators. The affidavit states officers recovered a Winchester 1300 Defender 12-gauge shotgun and located a spent 12-gauge 00 buckshot shell in the firearm. 

Dubois also is accused of destroying a wooden chair that belonged to the victim. 

The unlawful discharge charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. The aggravated assault charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The malicious injury to property charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. 

Dubois remains in custody on a $20,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 16.