A verbal altercation escalated into gunfire and now an Elmore City man stands charged with two counts of assault and battery with a deadly weapon.

The charges against Hunter Cornelius, 23, were filed in McClain County District Court.

Cornelius was freed after posting $50,000 bond. His preliminary hearing conference will  be at 9 a.m. August 31.

According to an affidavit, the incident occurred at 17278 State Highway 24.

Two co-workers told a deputy sheriff they were visiting Cornelius when he became angry.

When the co-workers intervened, Cornelius redirected his anger at them and ordered them to leave the property.

According to the affidavit, Cornelius went into the house and came out with a handgun.

As the men ran to a truck, Cornelius reportedly began firing into the air.

It wasn’t until later that the men noticed two bullet holes in the truck. One was above the rear window on the passenger side and the other was in the passenger side rear door.