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Mentone Man Hurt In Shooting

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A Mentone man was injured in a Sunday evening shooting incident and a Warsaw man is in police custody.

According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, Woody Shepherd Jr., 35, of West Osprey Lane, came into the sheriff's department at about 5:34 p.m. and told police he had been shot. Shepherd suffered an injury to his leg, but Rovenstine said it is believed the wound is from a rock or shrapnel and was not a direct hit from the bullet.

Melvin Eugene Keplinger, 40, of 3190 Ind. 15S, Warsaw, is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on a charge of criminal recklessness in connection with the incident. His bond is set at $5,000.

Rovenstine said Keplinger was taken into custody at his residence after a short standoff with police. Keplinger reportedly would not come out of his home or answer the door for about half an hour.

Police believe Shepherd and Keplinger were involved in an argument at Keplinger's residence prior to the shooting incident. Shepherd reportedly went outside and Keplinger allegedly followed him out and shot at the ground with a rifle.

Flying debris is believed to have struck Shepherd, who was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment. Rovenstine said the wound did not appear to be serious.