An Easton man repeatedly threatened to kill the mother of his children, and then opened fire on her using her gun on Sunday, city police said.

Kevin Holton, 25, of the 1200 block of Lehigh Street in the city, was arrested after police said he opened fire on a car containing his girlfriend and two of her friends.

Court paperwork alleges Holton was trying to kill the mother of his children.

Holton is charged with three counts of attempted homicide, as well as three counts each of aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm, theft, criminal mischief and making terroristic threats.

He is being held on $500,000 bail.

Easton police said they were called a little before 11 a.m. Sunday for a report of shots fired in the 500 block of Charles Street.

Evidence of gunfire was found in the 200 block of East Kleinhans Street.

Holton's girlfriend told police she was sitting in her Chrysler Pacifica with two of her friends, in the 200 block of East Kleinhans Street.

Holton allegedly walked to the front of the SUV and opened fire using the woman's gun, hitting the rear driver's side door.

The woman was able to drive away, as Holton continued shooting, police said. A parked Honda that was unoccupied was also struck, according to police.

The woman said Holton sent her text messages throughout the day, threatening to shoot her in the head and kill her.

All three people in the car identified Holton as the gunman, according to police.

An off-duty detective spotted Holton in the 2400 block of Nazareth Road, and Holton was arrested.

Holton had the woman's handgun -- a pink and black 9mm hangun -- on him, police said. Holton was previously convicted of escape, and is not allowed to possess a firearm.

Holton reportedly admitted to police to taking the gun from a lockbox in their apartment.

Last May, Holton was accused of ramming a car carrying two adults and a 1-year-old child.

Holton pleaded guilty to two counts of simple assault, three counts of reckless endangerment, as well as driving with a suspended or revoked licenses, careless driving and reckless driving.

He was sentenced to five to 23 months in county prison, and ordered to attend anger management classes.

Holton was paroled in October, court records show.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.