Woman charged after firing at neighbour during fence dispute

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 14:57 · Archive

A Missouri woman was charged with first-degree assault after allegedly firing a gun at a kneeling neighbour during a property-line dispute.

Paula Kohensky, 60, was charged with first-degree assault after allegedly firing a gunshot at her neighbour in St Charles County, Missouri, a suburb of St Louis, during a dispute over their shared fence on 11 October around 8pm.

The neighbour was kneeling on the ground while cutting a fence post with an electric side grinder after accidentally placing a metal 'T-post' incorrectly. He told police that while working, he heard yelling followed by a voice counting '3, 2, 1' and then a gunshot. According to the neighbour's account, he ran indoors and asked his wife to call police. Police say video surveillance footage showed the suspect pointing a gun at a lower angle before it discharged.

Kohensky gave police a different account, claiming the gunshot was accidental. She acknowledged carrying a gun outside while walking her dog and said she heard a loud metal sound and saw sparks from underneath a tarp near the fence, which startled her. She told police she yelled 'Get away from my fence' when she saw the victim's shadow. Metro reports that her husband then took the gun from her and they both went indoors.

Kohensky faces charges of first-degree assault or attempted assault and armed criminal action. She is being held on a $500,000 bond with a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2 December.

How it is being reported

• Woman ‘counted down 3, 2, 1 before opening fire on kneeling neighbour’Paula Kohensky, pictured here alongside St. Charles County police station, allegedly counted down from three before firing at her neighbour (Pictures: Google Maps/St. Charles County Department of Corrections) A woman allegedly counted down from three before firing a gun towards her neighbour as he…Metro · 20 Oct, 14:36
• Missouri woman gave chilling '3, 2, 1' countdown before firing at kneeling neighbor in bitter fence feud, cops sayPaula Kohensky was charged with first-degree assault after she fired a gunshot at her neighbor,Daily Mail · 18 Oct, 17:40

In this story: Paula Kohensky · St Charles County · Missouri · St Louis

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