Christopher Tyler James Masson, 24, of Cedar Hill has been accused of shooting two men outside of the Holeshots Saloon, 7488 Hwy. 30, in Dittmer. He allegedly shot them during an argument that started when one of the victims said something about Masson’s coat, according to court documents.
Masson on Dec. 13 was charged with two counts of first-degree assault causing serious physical injury, class A felonies that are each punishable by 10 to 30 years or life in prison; and two counts of armed criminal action, unclassified felonies that each carry penalties of three to 15 years in prison, court records said.
As of Monday, Masson was being held without bond at the Jefferson County Jail in Hillsboro, court documents show.
The men, a 53-year-old from Dittmer and a 30-year-old from Cedar Hill, were in critical condition at an area hospital, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday.
Sheriff’s Office deputies were called just before midnight Dec. 12 to the bar following the shooting, and Masson was arrested, according to the case’s probable-cause statement.
Investigators learned that one of the alleged victims said something about Masson’s coat, and the two argued inside the bar. Masson then left, but he returned about an hour later, and he started arguing with the two men again, according to the report.
Masson and the men then left the bar, and Masson went to a vehicle to retrieve something. One of the alleged victims can be heard on surveillance video saying, “You pulling a knife or a gun, bud? I’ve had both” and “What do you have in your hand?” to Masson, the report said.
Masson allegedly said, “You want to get shot.” The two men are then allegedly seen trying to get a gun away from Masson before two gunshots are heard, and the men who were wrestling with Masson then fall, according to the report.
Masson told investigators he shot at the men because he felt threatened, the report said.