SALISBURY — A Salisbury man faces misdemeanor charges after he allegedly fired gunshots at a former housemate whom he had kicked out only moments earlier.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Timothy Lamont Coan, 41, with assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.

The shooting happened at 11:20 p.m. May 1 in the 100 block of Cedar Drive, just outside Salisbury.

Deputies met with Ben Purefoy, who was standing by the road. Purefoy told them he had returned to his friend’s home, where he had been staying since February. He said all his belongings were on the front lawn.

Purefoy told deputies he knocked on the door and asked his Coan why his stuff was outside.

According to Purefoy, Coan came out of the house and told him to get off his property. Coan then fired two shots in Purefoy’s direction.

Coan told deputies that he didn’t own a gun but later admitted he had thrown one into nearby woods. Officers could not find a gun.

Deputies also spoke with a witness who said she saw Coan fire at a man who was wearing red clothing. A deputy’s a report said that was Purefoy.