Unpaid bills lead to gunshots

PALMER -- Two roommates' argument about unpaid electric bills ended with gunshots and felony charges against one man.

Edward P. Demaris, 39, was arrested on two counts of third-degree assault and tampering with evidence. He allegedly fired repeated shots at Clarence H. Bowman Jr. at the house they rent at 9766 Overlook Drive in Wasilla.

The men have lived together since March but recently began having problems because Demaris stopped making payments for electricity, according to an affidavit from Alaska State Trooper Derek De Graaf. The rift culminated Oct. 15 when Demaris fired three shots close to Bowman's face, De Graaf wrote.

"Bowman saw a bright flash from the muzzle as the gun fired, and described feeling hot particles touch his cheek after the gun fired," according to the affidavit.

Demaris fired one or two more times and then left the house, De Graaf said. Outside, he fired yet another shot that went through the wall and grazed Bowman's leg, he added.

Demaris told troopers he had wanted Bowman to move out because of alleged drug use. Demaris said Bowman started to pull a knife from his belt during an argument, and he fired "warning shots" in self-protection, according to the affidavit. That caused Bowman to put the knife down, so Demaris walked outside toward his van, the document said.

Demaris told troopers he realized the gun was still in his hand so he pulled the trigger to release the hammer and tried to drop the hammer into a safe position. However, the gun fired and struck the house.

Demaris went back to check on his roommate and, seeing the injury wasn't serious, drove away in his van, the affidavit said. When he returned and saw a trooper car at his home, he ran into the woods and threw the gun away, the document said. Troopers have been unable to find the weapon.