SCHLESWIG, Iowa (AP) – A Minnesota man has pleaded not guilty to shooting at two Iowa deputies during a standoff.  The Sioux City Journal reports 45-year-old James Champion, of Mankato, Minnesota, entered his written plea Monday. He’s charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer with a dangerous weapon in a March 9 standoff in Schleswig.

Crawford County sheriff’s deputies say Champion pointed a rifle at them and threatened to shoot after authorities went to check on him. He later opened his door and pointed a rifle toward officers and fired once.

Lt. Corey Utech returned fire, hitting Champion twice in the torso. Champion was flown to an Omaha hospital for treatment and released. Utech was cleared of any wrongdoing.