A Pottawattamie County man was arrested Monday afternoon on attempted murder and other charges, following a domestic disturbance that resulted in a weapon being fired. According to Council Bluffs Police, 29-year old Mackland Thomas, of Council Bluffs, was shot in the leg as he allegedly attempted to run over two women, one of whom was holding her child.
The incident began at around 3:50-p.m. at 1022 5th Avenue, in Council Bluffs. An investigation determined 22-year old Samantha Butler, of Council Bluffs, was in her bedroom talking to several people and 18-year old Craig Anson, of Council Bluffs, when Thomas arrived and attempted to kick the bedroom door in. After he entered the room, Thomas attempted to lunge at Anson.
Butler got between the men, but Thomas pushed her out of the way and against a door, causing Butler to suffer minor injuries. Thomas then got on top of Anson and began hitting him in the face. 41-year old Kimberly Trotter, who was also in the home, retrieved a hand gun from her bedroom and began striking Thomas with the hand grip in an attempt to get him to stop assaulting Anson.
Persons in the home were able to get Thomas off of Anson and push him outside of this residence. Butler and Trotter were standing on the grass just off of the porch when Thomas got into his 2003 Ford Escort and backed his vehicle up. Thomas then allegedly intentionally drove on the grass towards both women, narrowly missing them. Butler was also holding her infant child at the time of this incident.
Trotter then fired the hand gun one time at vehicle driver side door striking Thomas in the leg. Thomas then fled in his vehicle from the scene to 820 Ave H. He was transported to Mercy Hospital by Council Bluffs Rescue, treated for the gunshot wound and released. Thomas was then arrested and booked into Pottawattamie County Corrections charges that include two counts of attempted murder, assault while participating in a felony, child endangerment, and domestic abuse/serious assault.