(Council Bluffs, IA) – A Judge in the Pottawattamie County case against a man charged in connection with a shooting incident in Avoca on Oct. 9th, 2025, has granted a request by Defense Attorney Joseph Hrvol, to continue the trial of Shaun Patrick McCarthy, of Avoca, until March 10th. The request was granted by Judge Amy Zacharias just one day before the 29-year-old McCarthy was set to stand trial on the charges of domestic abuse assault, attempted murder, reckless use of a firearm, going armed with intent, three counts of child endangerment—substantial risk, and willful injury resulting in bodily injury. McCarthy has pleaded not guilty.

On October 9th, the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office took a report at a little after 8-p.m., of a person injured in a shooting in Avoca. The victim suffered minor injuries in the shooting. Deputies arrived on scene and determined the shooting occurred at a rural residence just west of Avoca, that the suspect was believed to still be in the home with minor children, and more gunfire was reported from the rural residence.

The Pottawattamie County Emergency Response Team and Negotiators responded to the scene west of Avoca. While deploying to the residence more gunfire was heard coming from near the home, and a male suspect, identified as Shaun McCarthy, was located outside. After a brief standoff, McCarthy was taken into custody, and the minor children were found to be safe and unharmed inside the home.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol.