January 3, 2024 |
Photo – Cartoon of shooting guns into the air – Courtesy giphy.com
A Rawlins man, whose name has not been released by authorities, was arrested after firing numerous rounds from at least two guns from his home on New Years Eve.
The unidentified adult male was taken into custody Sunday evening after law enforcement officers witnessed him shooting guns into the air.
Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward said his department received several reports of gunfire on the west side of the city. Chief Ward said when officers arrived at the location, they heard more shots being fired.
Chief Ward said officers witnessed the man firing his weapons from the back of a home. The Rawlins police chief said law enforcement surrounded the house and the man was taken into custody.
Chief Ward said Rawlins police believe that the man fired both a handgun and a rifle during the incident. The police chief was unable to provide the exact number of shots but said that the man fired the weapons repeatedly on several occasions within a short span of time.
The New Years Eve shooting was posted on the Rawlins News and Chatter Facebook page. Comments quickly dismissed the incident, claiming that the noises the poster was hearing were simply fireworks. Chief Ward said most people in Wyoming know the difference between the sound of a gun and fireworks.
Chief Ward encouraged people to still call the police if they see or hear illegal fireworks being set off.
The man was arrested for reckless endangerment. Chief Ward said he is unwilling to release the identity of the suspect. The police chief said the Carbon County Prosecutor’s Office is handling the case.
Our Bigfoot99 reporter called the Carbon County Attorney’s Office yesterday afternoon to find out the identity of the man. As of this morning, the call has not been returned.
Chief Ward was unwilling to say if the man was intoxicated during Sunday’s incident. However, the Rawlins police chief said he strongly discourages people from handling guns while drinking.
Chief Morris thanked Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during Sunday’s incident. The police chief also thanked the concerned citizens who reported the shooting.
No one was injured and no property damage was reported from Sunday night’s shooting. The unidentified man will face charges of reckless endangerment in the Carbon County Circuit Court.
