An Altoona police officer was injured early Saturday morning while responding to a domestic violence complaint that escalated into a physical brawl.
Jerry Emann Newton, 21, 1200 14th Ave., Apt. 1, was arrested after firing a shotgun into the air and physically assaulting his male partner shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Newton was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of simple assault and resisting arrest after striking the alleged victim and police officers responding to the scene.
Newton locked himself in his room of the pair's shared residence before firing a shotgun out of his window, police said. Newton and the alleged victim then began a verbal argument before Newton pinned the man to the bed and began punching his face, police said.
A third roommate called 911 to report shots fired, police said.
Officers responded to the scene and attempted to detain Newton.
Newton repeatedly struggled and swung his arms at the two officers, police said. Patrolman Matthew Plummer suffered a separated right shoulder and multiple broken bones in his right hand while attempting to detain Newton, police said.
A loaded 12-gauge pump shotgun was found lying on a nearby bed, police said.
Additional charges of harassment, disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm within city limits were filed against Newton. Newton was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Todd F. Kelly.
As of Monday evening, Newton remained jailed in Blair County Prison after failing to post $15,000 cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday before Kelly in Central Court.
Mirror Staff Writer Zach Geiger is at 946-7535.
