A 17-year-old has been charged with aggravated assault in the Monday shooting of a Greenwood man.
Joe Nathan III, 1103 Strong Ave., was brought into police custody by his mother, Police Chief Henry Purnell said. Nathan was released on bond Monday.
Purnell said officers were called to the 200 block of West Henry Street following the shooting of Gregory Phillips around noon.
Phillips, who is in his late 40s, was found with a single gunshot wound to his stomach. Nathan may have been acting in self-defense, the chief said.
Purnell said Phillips has a history of violent, abusive relationships with women. At the time of the shooting, Phillips was beating his pregnant girlfriend, who is Nathan’s sister, Purnell said.
“He couldn’t get him to stop beating her,” the chief said.
When Phillips attacked Nathan, Nathan drew a small-caliber handgun and shot him, Purnell said. The bullet apparently entered and exited from Phillips’ stomach. He was expected to be released from the hospital today or Wednesday.
Purnell said Phillips is likely to face assault charges for beating his girlfriend, although she and her baby were not harmed.
After discussing the case with Assistant District Attorney Tim Jones, Purnell said he was advised to send the case directly to the Leflore County Grand Jury, which will convene in July.
Purnell said on Monday Nathan took investigators to the location where he supposedly ditched the handgun.
The chief speculated that people may have noticed Nathan disposing of the gun and then retrieved it for themselves. He said police would return this morning to try to find it.
If charged as an adult with aggravated assault, Nathan could face a maximum of 20 years in prison.
• Contact Bob Darden at bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
