Man shot bush hogging Saturday

A Neshoba County man has been arrested for shooting a neighbor who was bush hogging Saturday northwest of Union in rural Neshoba County.

The suspect, Justin Hagan, 41, 10181 Road 307, Union, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon after hiding in the woods and shooting at the man the authorities have not identified.

Deputies were dispatched to the shooting call at 10091 County Road 307 at about 5 p.m.  The initial caller stated that her husband had been shot while bush hogging and clearing his property.  

The victim was riding his tractor when he was riddled with pellets from a shotgun blast, the authorities said.

The shooter was concealed in an adjoining wooded area, officials said.

The victim fled the area and managed to drive himself to his home to alert his wife.  She called 911 for law enforcement and medical attention.  

Neshoba County Sheriff’s Officers responded to the area to secure it and provide a safe area for EMS.

The victim was transported by CareMed EMS to Anderson Regional Hospital in Meridian.  The victim was treated and later released from the hospital, Sheriff Eric Clark said.

Sheriff Deputies gathered information that led them next door to the home of Justin Hagan.  Hagan was apprehended without incident. 

Hagan possessed a number of weapons, including a Remington 1100 semi-auto shotgun.  

“Evidence was collected at the home and from the adjacent woodlot that incriminated Hagan,” Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said in a release.

“Hagan was placed under arrest and transported to the Neshoba County Detention Center,” Clark said. “Justin Hagan is currently being held in the Neshoba County Detention Center awaiting an initial appearance before a judge.”