A man from Stone County has been arrested for allegedly threatening a mother and son with a rifle, getting into a physical altercation and fleeing the scene.
According to the probable cause statement, on April 1, deputies responded to the altercation report at a residence along Highway 66 in Stone County. While en-route deputies were advised the suspect, later identified as 21-year-old James Dylan Charles Johnstone, fled the scene and was possibly armed.
Officials arrived on scene and spoke with one of the victims who stated Johnstone arrived at the residence and pointed an AR-15 type rifle at her and her son stating he wanted to fight. Johnstone then put the gun away and attacked the son, pulling him to the ground and pulling his hair out. The mother then attempted to pull Johnstone off the son when she was hit in the back of the head by another woman. The mother then threw the woman to the ground and Johnstone and the woman fled the scene.
While deputies were on scene, Johnstone and the woman drove by the residence again. Deputies made an attempt to catch the vehicle, but it accelerated at high speeds to leave the area. As the vehicles entered the highway, they observed Johnstone’s vehicle run another vehicle off the roadway.
Once Johnstone was pulled over, deputies conducted a felony takedown due to the possibility of him being armed. Johnstone was then detained and advised he was being stopped due to the altercation.
During a post-miranda interview, Johnstone admitted to hitting the victim but denied pulling out a firearm, he did state there was an AR-15 type rifle in the trunk of the car.
Deputies retrieved the rifle and found it loaded with one bullet in the chamber. Upon further inspection, two juveniles aged 6 months and two years old were located in the vehicle, and were present for the altercation. Officials also noted the rifle located in the trunk was pointed towards the juveniles in the backseat of the vehicle.
Johnstone was then transported to the Stone County Detention Center.
He has been charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault, and misdemeanor counts of third degree battery; endangering the welfare of a minor; and reckless driving.
Bond is set at $50,000.
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