W. Toledoan is charged with assault in shooting

5/1/2008

A West Toledo man accused of accidently shooting his brother in the foot after mishandling a shotgun pleaded not guilty yesterday during an arraignment in Toledo Municipal Court, authorities said.

Rodney Coley, 18, of 1600 Brooke Park Drive, Apt. 8 was charged with assault. He is free after posting 10 percent of a $1,500 bond, authorities said.

According to witnesses, Mr. Coley was holding a 12-gauge shotgun inside his apartment about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday when he dropped it. He tried to grab the gun as it fell and it discharged into the floor, police said.

His brother, Travon Freelove, 14, who was on a couch in an apartment below, was struck in the foot by pellets. He was taken to Toledo Hospital and released yesterday, hospital officials said.

The shotgun was found under Mr. Coley's vehicle.