Authorities say a Salisbury man tried to bribe a police officer after police responded to a strange assault case that began with two men killing mosquitoes. Salisbury Police charged Reginald “Reggie” Eugene Horne, 32, of the 200 block of Pearl Street, Salisbury, with felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, misdemeanor communicating threats, misdemeanor discharging a firearm in the city and felony bribery.
Officers spoke with two women who said they were on the porch of a West Bank Street home when Horne pulled out a handgun and fired it at the feet of Wayne Smith. The women said Horne then pointed the gun at Smith’s head and told the man he would “blow his face off.” The women said they did not witness the second gunshot, but heard it after they ran into the home.
The women said both men were trying to get rid of mosquitoes and Horne at some point got mad. Officials say the men are related and they believe alcohol was involved. Horne became belligerent with officers. Horne then pleaded the fifth, refusing to say anything that would incriminate him, a report said. Horne told an officer he needed to be at work on Monday and he’d give the officer $300 if the officer let him go. When officers arrived at the West Bank Street home, reports said, Horne did show them the gun and it was secured without any resistance.
Horne remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $70,000 secured bond. Horne has been convicted of assault on a female, resisting arrest and driving while impaired.