Watertown man charged with assault after he was hit by water pellet from toy gun

Late morning on Tuesday, the Watertown Police Department responded to an alleged shooting on the Northeast side of town.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Watertown Police Officers responded to an incident in Northeast Watertown involving an alleged assault, according to a release. Dispatch reported that a male in an SUV had taken toy guns from two juveniles and placed one of the juveniles in a headlock.

Officers later identified the suspect, a 47-year-old male from Watertown. Upon arrival at the location, officers spoke with the suspect, the juveniles and the children’s father. The officers determined the two juveniles were playing outside with toy guns that shoot water-filled pellets when the suspect, who was a passenger in a passing vehicle, was struck by one of the pellets, the release said.

After being shot with a water pellet, the suspect exited the car and placed one of the juveniles in a headlock, causing injury. He then took the toy guns from both juveniles and threatened them further.

The suspect, according to a release, was arrested and charged with Simple Assault and Petty Theft. He was transported to the Codington County Detention Center and released on a personal recognizance bond.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Watertown man put juveniles in headlock after he was struck by pellets