Nov 5, 2015 2 min read

A man accused of threatening to kill his live-in girlfriend and their two young children in their Cumberland Township home last month before firing his shotgun multiple times outside the residence was held for court Thursday afternoon on six charges.

Cody Rush, 23, was held on two counts each of terroristic threats, simple assault and child endangerment during his preliminary hearing before District Judge Glenn Bates. Charges of terroristic threats and simple assault were dismissed.

Cumberland Township police said Rush threatened his family with the shotgun about 5 p.m. Oct. 27, along with his girlfriend’s mother and an occupational therapist visiting the home at 675 Nemacolin Road the day of the incident.

Police said Rush threatened to kill his girlfriend, Brittney Rhome, and her mother, Emma Presock, and the couple’s two toddler-aged children. Rush then loaded a 12-gauge shotgun inside the home, “placing (the witnesses) in fear for their lives,” according to court documents. Police said Rush “pointed the gun as if he was going to shoot inside the house” as he allegedly continued to make threats about killing the occupants.

Police said he then left the home and fired the shotgun three times outside. Officers found Rush in nearby woods dressed in camouflage and holding a bow and arrow. Officers drew their weapons and ordered Rush to drop the bow, which he did immediately.

While being interviewed at the Cumberland Township Police Department, Rush told investigators “he knew he had said some things he shouldn’t have but that he was just mad,” according to court documents. Police did not elaborate on what sparked the incident.

Bates reduced Rush’s bail to $20,000 cash bond, and he remained at the Greene County jail as of Thursday afternoon. Patrick Fitch, Rush’s public defender, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

A formal arraignment has not yet been scheduled.