(Red Oak) Two men were arrested after officers were dispatched to a report of shots being fired in Red Oak early this morning.
The Red Oak Police Department says officers were dispatched to 604 Riverview Drive, located in the southwest corner of Red Oak, at approximately 12:06 a.m. The initial call to the Montgomery County Communications Center made it sound as if there was an exchange of gunfire going on at this particular address.
Preliminary investigation shows that 36-year-old Neil Todd Batten of Red Oak and 25-year-old Kendall Brian Kuhlman of Glidden, whom are ex brothers-in-law, had an exchange of text messages which involved some sort of family dynamics. Kuhlman, who was on his way to Red Oak to return a couple of firearms to his step father, decided it was a good idea to go to the Batten residence and confront Batten in regards to the text massages exchanged.
Once at the Batten residence, both Batten and Kuhlman brandished shotguns and engaged in a verbal confrontation. It is not certain who discharged the firearm first, but investigation has determined that Kendall Kuhlman fired a shot from a 20 gauge shotgun into the air. Neil Batten then fired three rounds from a 12 gauge shotgun, which was loaded with bird shot, into the driver’s door of a 1998 Ford Explorer, which busted out the driver’s side window and riddled the driver’s side head rest and door panel with bird shot. Fortunately, Kendall Kuhlman was not inside the Ford Explorer when Batten fired into the vehicle and was uninjured.
Kuhlman retreated to the east of the residence and Batten retreated back inside of his residence. Both then dialed 911 and summoned law enforcement to the scene.
As a result of the investigation, both Kuhlman and Batten were arrested and transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center.
Batten was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault While Participating in a Felony, Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, and Reckless use of a Firearm. He was held on no bond.
Kuhlman was charged with Reckless use of a Firearm and Interference with Official Acts. He was held on $300 cash bond.
The Red Oak Police Department was assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in this investigation.
