Polk County brothers charged for shooting incident in Bolivar

BOLIVAR, Mo. — Two Polk County brothers have been charged with felonies from a shooting incident in Bolivar over a month ago.

According to online court dockets filed on Thursday, May 8, Braxton and Hunter Appleton, both of Brighton and born 2004 and 2002, respectively, are charged with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.

The probable cause statement says the incident occurred on March 28 when Braxton, who was driving with Hunter, stopped his vehicle in front of a Bolivar residence. The victim exited his garage and approached the vehicle.

As the victim approached the vehicle, Braxton and Hunter both brandished handguns and pointed them at the victim, before driving away as the victim put his hands up and walked back to his garage, the statement says.

The victim obtained a piece of wood, ran down the street and threw the piece of wood towards Braxton and Hunter's vehicle.

"The vehicle came to a stop, and according to the victim, fired one shot at him before speeding away out of the neighborhood," the statement says.

The victim stated the round was close enough to him that he could hear it pass him.

According to the statement, the bullet casing was located on the street near where the vehicle stopped. The neighborhood was noted as being populated with families and several children.

Braxton and Hunter were arrested on Wednesday, May 7, and released from the Polk County Jail on Friday, May 9, on $75,000 bonds.