McDONOUGH – The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office responded to a violent altercation between two men Monday morning after one fired a shotgun in the direction of the other.

At about 8:40 a.m. Monday, deputies went to the Town of McDonough after receiving a 911 call from William Carr, 47, of Town Line Road. Carr reported that he was involved in an argument with another man, James Fox, 43, of Loomis Road, McDonough, who had injured him.

“During the investigation it was discovered that Carr had fired a round from a shotgun during the dispute. Carr fired the round in the direction of another person, striking the ground in front of the person,” said Detective Sergeant Richard Cobb.

Although Carr called to report the incident, police investigators said “Fox had used justifiable force during the dispute with Carr.”

The two men got involved in an argument and police claim Carr armed himself with a hammer and threatened Fox. “It was determined that reasonable force was used after a threat was made, creating a real fear of being physically injured,” said Cobb.