A Marion County man was arrested for allegedly firing a gun outside his home after his wife confronted him about nude photos of another woman that were allegedly found on his cellphone.
On Tuesday, August 5, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residential neighborhood in reference to a gun being fired in the area. A female witness had contacted the agency and advised that her husband, 32-year-old Mick Antonius Van Mook, had fired a gun outside their home, according to the arrest report.
According to the witness, Van Mook was in the living room when the witness saw Van Mook’s cellphone on a nightstand in their bedroom. She stated that she “began to look through” the cellphone and discovered “nude photos of a female co-worker” on the device.
When the witness confronted Van Mook about the photos, he allegedly attempted to retrieve his cellphone. The witness told the deputy that she ran outside of the residence with the cellphone still in her possession, according to the report.
The witness advised that when she reached the roadway outside the home, she continued looking through Van Mook’s cellphone. She then alleged that Van Mook briefly returned inside the residence and retrieved a 9mm pistol.
Van Mook allegedly exited the home and pointed the pistol at his own head. According to the witness, Van Mook then pointed the pistol away from his head before firing one round in an unknown direction.
The deputy made contact with Van Mook. After being read his Miranda rights, Van Mook initially denied retrieving or firing the pistol during the incident. However, the deputy noted that Van Mook eventually admitted to “discharging the firearm up towards the air.”
The report mentioned that Van Mook “appeared to be intoxicated,” and the witness advised that Van Mook had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident.
Van Mook was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail. He is being charged with recklessly discharging a firearm in public or on a residential property.
On Wednesday, August 20, Van Mook is scheduled to appear in court at 1 p.m., according to Marion County Court records.
As of Friday, August 8, a booking photo of Van Mook was not yet available.