Man pleads innocent to shooting charge

A 46-year-old Kalispell man pleaded not guilty Thursday in Flathead District Court to allegations that he shot at and injured his 23-year-old son.

James Gonzales is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon in the July 12 incident, in which his son, Cote, reported his father had shot him in the face with a shotgun.

Several witnesses reported hearing the gunshots and one reported stopping and letting Cote use his phone to call police.

It is unknown whether Cote was struck with pellets from the shotgun, a ricochet or rocks thrown up from the ground.

Cote suffered a small, superficial facial wound.

If convicted of both charges, Gonzales faces up to 40 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. He is currently being held in the Flathead County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond.

His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31.