Gunshots fired in Belle Plaine in argument about woman

Jealousy over a woman spawned an argument that involved a baseball bat and ended with gunshots in Belle Plaine, police said.

Police responded around 12:14 a.m. Monday to a residence at 1003 Ninth Ave. for a report of gunshots. Two men had minor injuries from a physical altercation, but neither one had been shot.

Thomas M. C. Brennecke, 27, of Belle Plaine, was arrested and charged with going armed with intent, assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and first-degree harassment.

Police Chief Kris Hudson said Brennecke is accused of hitting of Dirk Beal, 26, with a baseball bat after he went to Beal's home to confront him. Beal had a .45-caliber handgun in his possession and fired it once in an attempt to scare Brennecke away, police said.

A physical altercation ensued and Beal struck Brennecke in the head with the handgun, causing it to discharge a second time.

Neither man required medical treatment, police said.

Brennecke was arrested at the scene and transported to the Benton County Jail. His bond was set at $5,000, and he remained in custody Tuesday.