POCATELLO — A 38-year-old local man was recently arrested after police say he fired a handgun into the ground during a street fight in downtown Pocatello, sending shrapnel into a bystander’s eye.

Russell Roy Hough of Pocatello was arrested Aug. 22 on one count of felony aggravated battery following an incident that unfolded late on the night of Aug. 21, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained.

In a criminal complaint filed in 6th District Court Monday, prosecutors allege Hough used a firearm to inflict force or violence on a bystander who had attempted to break up a physical disturbance between a man and a woman. Prosecutors have also filed notice they will seek a sentencing enhancement under Idaho Code for Hough’s alleged use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.

According to a probable cause affidavit, police responded to a report of a disturbance near South Second Avenue and East Center Street around 11:50 p.m. Aug. 21. Police learned the woman had been kicked and knocked to the ground during an altercation with the man, the affidavit states.

An adult male passerby confronted the man about striking the woman and the passerby and man then began fighting, according to the affidavit. Cellphone video reviewed by officers showed the man on top of the passerby before others pulled him off, police said.

After both men got back up, Hough — identified as a friend of the man fighting the passerby — stepped between them as they moved to fight again, the affidavit states. Hough punched the passerby in the head, then turned his attention to the other man, grabbing and throwing him to the ground while shouting at him to leave, according to the affidavit.

While Hough was focused on the other man, the passerby struck him in the back of the head, knocking off his glasses, the affidavit states. Hough turned around, retrieved his glasses and began approaching the passerby as the passerby backed away, according to police.

Hough then pulled a 9mm pistol from his waistband, pointed it at the passerby’s feet and fired, the affidavit states. The bullet struck the ground nearby, sending shrapnel into the passerby’s left eye and causing an injury to his eyelid, according to the affidavit. The passerby was evaluated by emergency medical personnel at the scene but declined transport to the hospital, police said.

Hough admitted to striking the passerby and said he had been trying to stop the fight, the affidavit states. He told officers he retrieved the gun, a Glock 19, from his car after another man at the scene ran off “like he was going to get a gun,” according to the affidavit. Hough said he fired at the ground and did not point the gun at anyone, police said.

Police located the loaded Glock 19 in the backseat of Hough’s car with his permission, according to the affidavit.

Hough was booked into the Bannock County Jail on the aggravated battery charge. He appeared before 6th District Magistrate Judge David A. Hooste for an arraignment hearing via video conference from the jail on Monday, where his bond was set at $5,000. He posted bond later that day and was released.

Hough is scheduled to appear in court again Sept. 3 for a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will attempt to present sufficient evidence to elevate the case from magistrate to district court for trial.

If convicted of felony aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, Hough faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.