Missouri neighbour dispute turns violent; woman held on $500,000 bond

A property dispute in St. Charles County, Missouri, escalated into a criminal case after a neighbour fired a gun towards a man repairing a fence. Paula Kohensky, 60, is charged with first-degree assault or attempted assault and armed criminal action following the incident on Sunday night. The alleged shooting occurred while the man was using an electric grinder to cut a fence post, which had been misaligned.

Kohensky's wife reported hearing gunshots after her husband had sought help, leading to an investigation. Kohensky initially refused to speak with police but eventually did so, holding a handgun in her possession at the time. Her bond stands at $500,000, and she awaits a preliminary hearing on December 2.

According to the man's statement, he was working on the fence after a property-line disagreement between himself, Kohensky, and her husband. He claims he heard yelling, followed by a countdown and a gunshot. Kohensky later told police she had a history of harassment and stalking issues with the neighbors and claimed the gun discharged accidentally while she was holding it.

Police, however, allege that surveillance video shows Kohensky and her husband standing together when Kohensky points a gun at the fence. The gun allegedly goes off before Kohensky's husband takes it from her, according to the documents.

Kohensky faces two felony charges: first-degree assault or attempted assault and armed criminal action. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 2. The case highlights the potential for seemingly routine property disputes to turn violent, especially when firearms are involved. Neighbourhood conflicts over fence ownership, maintenance, or access should be resolved through communication, documentation, mediation, or legal channels rather than resorting to confrontational tactics.