The charge against John S. Calovich Jr. stems from an incident on July 22 at Calovich’s home north of Tonganoxie during which a shotgun was fired once at a Leavenworth County sheriff’s deputy. The deputy was not injured in the incident.

Lt. Andy Dedeke of the sheriff’s office said Calovich had offered to sell a shotgun to a Lenexa man that evening at the home of the Lenexa man’s mother-in-law. But, because he was concerned the gun was stolen, the Lenexa man declined. Calovich then headed home, but the Lenexa man began to worry the suspect would return. So he followed Calovich to his home.

“While he’s en route, Calovich gets nervous,” Dedeke said. “He calls us and says a crazy person is chasing him and he thinks he’s armed.”

The two men reach Calovich’s home about 9:15 p.m. and begin arguing. Calovich tells the Lenexa man to leave. As he’s backing out of the driveway, sheriff’s Deputy Carol Abramovitz pulled in. And that’s when Abramovitz saw a muzzle flash from a shotgun.

Calovich “said he didn’t realize the car pulling in was a sheriff’s deputy,” Dedeke said.

Calovich is scheduled to appear today in court.