Man charged with trying to kill girlfriend

A Franklin County grand jury has indicted a Red Bay man accused of assaulting and shooting towards a female companion on attempted murder charges, officials said.

Franklin County Courthouse officials said 28 year-old Joey Dewayne Keeton, of 512 4th Street NE , Red Bay, was also indicted on charges including second-degree domestic violence, resisting arrest, first-degree sexual abuse and attempted sexual torture.

The indictments were returned during the recent May grand jury session.

Red Bay Police Chief Jana Jackson said Keeton was arrested February 9 after police received a phone call around 3:30 p.m. concerning a female who had been assaulted.

Jackson said members of the Franklin County Special Response Team (SRT) were in the area doing some training exercises and were called in to aid with the situation.

Reports indicate that Keeton had been drinking heavily all day and was behind the residence shooting birds just before the incident occurred.

Reports state the female had just come out of the bathroom as Keeton came through the back door and began walking down the hallway firing shots towards the victim inside the residence.

Authorities said the victim told officials Keeton then grabbed her, threw her onto the bed, put the gun to her head and inside her mouth, pulling the trigger both times but it did not discharge.

The victim also told officials Keeton tried to sexually molest her with the .357- caliber handgun and that is when she shoved him off the bed and into a wall, then escaped out the back door to a neighbor’s house nearby, authorities said.

Investigators with the Red Bay Police Department discovered several bullet holes inside the residence where, according to the investigation, Keeton had shot at his girlfriend at least three times. ?

Jackson said the female had gotten away from Keeton, while he was still inside the residence armed with multiple guns. ?

“At first we were in a standoff situation, but then we were able to make phone contact with him, trying to convince him to surrender,” Jackson said. “After about 30 minutes Keeton willfully exited the residence.” ?

Authorities said Keeton was still armed with a handgun in his pocket when he was taken into custody. ?

The female had injuries and was transported by Northstar Paramedic service to Red Bay Hospital. ?

Jackson said Keeton was charged with attempted murder, first-degree domestic violence and resisting arrest during the initial arrest. ?

Attempted murder is a Class A felony and is punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

Keeton is currently being held at the Franklin County Jail.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said the arraignment hearing for the case is set for late June and the case could be on the trial docket in August