Calder man charged with aggravated assault after attempted shooting

CALDER –– Details have been released on an alleged attempted shooting that occurred on Monday morning in the southern region of Shoshone County.  

61-year-old Steven Meile was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault after he opened fire on two men who were conducting a tree survey on Stimson Lumber property.  

According to the probable cause affidavit, the two men were both wearing reflective vests while completing their work when they reportedly heard three to five gunshots fired in rapid succession. One of the men stated that two of the shots “zinged” by his left ear. According to the report, both men dropped to the ground in fear, believing they were being shot at intentionally. According to the reports, the men believed the weapon being used was a handgun due to the loud sounds accompanying the shots.  

Both men then reportedly heard a male shout, “you’re trespassing,” from the trees, but never saw him. As they exited the property, they told police they saw a vehicle also leaving the area at a high rate of speed and reported the incidents to the authorities.  

Once sheriff’s deputies arrived, they located Meile, who owns property near where the two men were surveying. Deputies also reported seeing a vehicle that matched the description of the one the victims had seen leaving the area. According to the PCA, upon arrival Meile reportedly stated that they must be there because of what had occurred earlier that morning.  

Meile’s account alleged that he, along with his wife and son, had heard what they believed to be a human sneeze and began calling out to see if anyone was there.  

Meile reportedly also told the deputies that they have had issues with cougars and other wildlife, and that they fire off rounds to scare animals away.  

According to Meile’s son, when no one answered their alleged calls, Meile retrieved his .22 rifle to fire off warning shots.  

Meile alleged to have fired the shots into the ground, over his fence line, but reportedly still on his property. It was also reported in the PCA that Meile admitted to hearing a male shout, “You almost shot my ear off.” and that he reportedly responded to this by asking, “what are you doing outside my fence then?”  

Deputies recovered the .22-caliber rifle, which still had 11 rounds in the 18-round magazine. They also found two shell casings in the area where the incident occurred, one from a .22, and the other from a .45. 

Meile told the deputies that he reportedly used a .45 caliber handgun to scare off a moose a week earlier.  

Meile was released on bond and is expected back in court on September 17, for a preliminary hearing.