By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Austin Lynn Bays

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was recently arrested after allegedly using a firearm in an attempt to prevent a woman from leaving a residence.

Austin Lynn Bays, 20, 5163 S. 300E, Warsaw, is charged with criminal confinement, a level 3 felony; and criminal recklessness and pointing a firearm, both level 6 felonies.

On March 19, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy went to a Warsaw residence regarding a dispute. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with a woman who said an incident occurred earlier in the day between her and Bays. According to court documents, the incident involved a loaded firearm.

The woman said she was trying to leave a residence when Bays chased her with a loaded handgun and yelled, “Leave and watch what happens.” After getting into a vehicle, Bays approached her, pointed the firearm at her multiple times and shot three rounds into the air. She then took a chance to leave the residence and hoped Bays would not shoot her.

The woman told the deputy she believed Bays pointed the firearm at her to keep her from leaving and said he looked into her vehicle’s window while holding the gun against the glass. She also said this was not the first time Bays did something like this and that a child was in the home during the altercation.

A witness said they heard Bays and the woman fighting and also heard three gunshots.

For this case, Bays was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on April 14, with a $20,250 surety and cash bond