MARION COUNTY — Bail has been set at $500,000 for a 33-year-old man from the Centralia area charged Tuesday in connection with a string of events in Sandoval Sunday that sent one homeowner to the hospital with a gunshot wound.

Joshua Knicker is charged in one case with Class X felony aggravated battery with a firearm and Class 1 felony residential burglary for allegedly entering two homes Sunday south of Sandoval. A second case charges him with Class 4 felony criminal trespass to a residence while a person present.

Knicker reportedly became involved in an altercation with a resident of one home on the Red Stripe Road after the resident reportedly returned to find Knicker inside.

Sheriff’s deputies previously said the altercation took place outside the home where Knicker may have shot the resident with a BB gun.  The resident was taken to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia for treatment.

Knicker then reportedly went to a nearby home where he gained entry before running into a field where he was apprehended by sheriff’s deputies.

An ongoing investigation is looking into Knicker’s possible involvement in a vehicle burglary at a home on Old U.S. 51 south of Sandoval where blood was found inside.  Blood samples have been sent to the state crime lab to determine if the blood came from Knicker.

A preliminary hearing has been set in both cases for October 15 along with a first appearance with Knicker’s court appointed attorney.