Bourbon Man Pleads Guilty In 2023 Assault

A Bourbon man has pleaded guilty in a November 2023 assault where he shot at a victim driving away from him.

Caleb Sappington, 21, was convicted Sept. 3 of second-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon — exhibiting. 

The state dropped five other charges against Sappington, filing a nolle prosequi for armed criminal action and first-degree assault.

Sappington is scheduled to appear before Judge Megan Seay on Nov. 4 for sentencing. His trial was scheduled to begin Sept. 11.

The shooting occurred Nov. 20, 2023.

The probable cause statement says the victim drove down Sappington’s driveway and was told to leave. As they were leaving, Sappington’s mother followed the victim in her vehicle and Sappington followed in his.

Once they reached the top of Sappington Road, the victim flipped off Sappington’s mother and drove away.

Sappington then pulled out a hunting rifle and shot at the vehicle as it drove away. The victim’s vehicle had a single gunshot hole on the right rear fender behind the passenger seat and above the right rear tire. The victim was struck in the right rear shoulder. 

Second-degree assault is punishable by up to seven years in prison.