Man Charged After Rifle Confrontation Turns Violent

A Crawford County man has been charged with multiple felonies following a confrontation that involved gunfire and a physical altercation in Cuba.

Guy Link, born 1948, faces charges of second-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon after allegedly firing a rifle in the direction of another man and later engaging in a struggle over the firearm.

According to the probable cause statement, law enforcement responded to Link’s residence on Jan. 30 after receiving a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Link, who claimed that he had been struck with a stick by the victim. However, further investigation revealed that Link had discharged a rifle toward the victim while the latter was cutting wood on property neither man owned.

The victim reported that after the initial gunfire, he approached Link, who then pointed the rifle at him from close range. Fearing for his safety, the victim grabbed the rifle barrel, resulting in a struggle. During the altercation, the rifle discharged a second time into the air near the victim. 

Eventually, the victim managed to wrestle the firearm away from Link and struck him with it multiple times in self-defense. The victim stated that the rifle broke into two pieces before he left the scene and returned to his residence, approximately a quarter-mile away.

Deputies searching the area recovered two .22 caliber shell casings and a brown rifle stock matching the victim’s description. However, they were unable to locate the barrel of the firearm. 

When officers attempted to conduct a gunshot residue test, Link refused, stating he did not want to provide “extra evidence” and that authorities “had enough already.”