Potosi man charged with assaulting, shooting woman

A Potosi man has been hit with 3 felony charges for shooting a woman.

48-year-old Charles Zohner has been charged with Class A first-degree assault, Class B and Class E unlawful use of a weapon, and armed criminal action.

Washington County were dispatched Monday to a residence on Highway 185 for reports of shots fired. Law enforcement officers found a woman with a shotgun wound in her leg, which she says came after Zohner started screaming at her and making threats while holding a .22 caliber long rifle.

The woman tried to move the gun, but while it was pointed down near her leg, Zohner pulled the trigger.

Zohner claimed to a 911 operator that the woman had shot herself, but when more officers arrvied at the scene, Zohner tried to flee.

Zohner has been arrested for assault at least 7 times for assault since 1996 and at least 18 times in total.

He is being held at the Washington County jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond.