New Details in Violent Family Dispute Case

Officials explain why they arrested one man

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By Kristin Crowley - News 3

Story Created: Feb 21, 2012 at 7:47 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 21, 2012 at 10:11 PM CDT

WSIL- The Franklin County States Attorney will have to decide by Wednesday if he will press charges against Dennis Hahn Jr., who is accused of shooting his father.

The sheriff's department said it's still investigating if that shooting was done in self defense.

Family members of Hahn Jr. are hoping by Wednesday he will be back home. They said he only shot his father in self defense.

But the sheriff's department said it's still piecing together details from Monday's unusual incident, and they had to arrest Hahn Jr.

The controversy all started late Monday morning in Hurst. Officials said Dennis Hahn Sr. intentionally ran over his daughter, critically injuring her. Authorities said Hahn then drove over to Dennis Hahn Jr.'s house in Royalton. That's when Hahn Jr. shot his father.

Hahn Jr.'s wife told News 3 Hahn Sr. was threatening to kill the entire family, and her husband was just protecting them.

Still Hahn Jr. is tentatively charged with aggravated battery with a firearm.

"We believe probable cause does support that at this time, but our job is to make sure that what appears to be is really what happened," said Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones.

Jones said the sheriff's department is covering all its bases, working hard to make sure the investigation is done right.

Hahn Sr. is currently not charged with any crime. He is in critical condition at Herrin Hospital.

The daughter Hahn Sr. ran over, Mary Halleran, was also listed in critical condition on Monday. Hospital officials have not updated her condition.

The Franklin County States Attorney would not return our calls for comment on whether he'll pursue the charges against Hahn Jr.

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