Man charged with attempted homicide after firing gun into car outside Altoona bar

Altoona, PA (WJAC) Authorities with the Altoona Police Department say a Blair County man is behind bars and is charged with attempted homicide after he allegedly fired a gun into a vehicle outside a local bar.

Authorities with the Altoona Police Department say a Blair County man is behind bars and is charged with attempted homicide after he allegedly fired a gun into a vehicle outside a local bar.

According to the affidavit, police received a complaint early Sunday morning from a woman who claimed that she had been shot at while inside her vehicle at the Kettle Inn Bar.

Investigators say, according to the victim, she had driven to the bar to pick up a group of friends when the incident occurred.

Police say one of the members of the group had reportedly punched the suspect in the face, during an altercation, as the victim was arriving at the bar.

Authorities say, according to the victim, the suspect then approached the front of her vehicle, as she was attempting to leave, and pointed a gun at them.

Police say the man then walked to the passenger side of the vehicle and fired one round into the window.

According to the victim, investigators say the man also allegedly assaulted one of the passengers through an open car window.

Police say, upon further investigation, authorities were able to identify the suspect as 37-year-old Mark Phillips Jr., of Altoona.

Police say bar surveillance video showed Phillips firing one shot into the vehicle, following an altercation in the parking lot with one of the passengers.

Authorities say the video also showed Phillips attempting to fire a second shot at the vehicle as it was driving away.

Police say a search of the area led to the discovery a shell casing in the parking lot, as well as a pistol holster.

Authorities say police observed a bullet hole in the window as well as an exit hole in the driver's side door.

Investigators determined that the trajectory of the bullet passed in front of the victim's chest and arms.

Police later interviewed Phillips about the incident, who allegedly admitted to being involved in an altercation with one of the vehicle's passengers.

Authorities say Phillips told police that he then went to his truck to retrieve his gun and walked to the front of the vehicle.

Police say Phillips also admitted to assaulting one of the passengers through an open window but did not mention firing his gun.

Investigators say when he was shown video surveillance of the incident, he allegedly claimed that he did not intend to fire his gun, and that it was "an accidental discharge."

Police say he also denied attempting to fire the gun a second time.

Phillips was arraigned Sunday afternoon to the Blair County Prison.

He faces several charges including attempted homicide, aggravated assault, possession of an instrument of crime and reckless endangerment, according to online court records.

Phillips bail has been set at $100,000.

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