Polk County, NC – A 75-year-old man described as a “legendary horseman” is facing felony charges for trying to shoot his son, and inadvertently killing a horse. According to sources, John Victor Russell was arrested on July 5 after killing a horse that his son was riding.

The horse’s death was accidental. Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokesman John J. Suave recounted the incident, stating that Russell, “had a dispute with his son, and when he fired a gun at the man, he accidentally killed the horse that he was riding.”

Russell is well-known in the horse community and just last month he was named “Horseman of the Year” by the Carolinas Show Hunter Hall Of Fame.

Russell is facing multiple charges including assault on a person with a deadly weapon with the intent to kill and felony animal cruelty causing the death of an animal. He is due in Polk County District Court on July 19.

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