Minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day, three people were arrested and charged with firing guns within city limits, Toledo police said.
Austin J. Hood, 21, and Lynn A. Fall, 53, are charged with discharging firearms in a restricted area, a first-degree misdemeanor. Both appeared Tuesday in Toledo Municipal Court and were released on bond, according to court records.
Aaron J. Owens, 22, was initially charged with the same offense but had the charge amended to disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, based on a recommendation from the prosecution. Mr. Owens pleaded no contest and is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, court records show.
All three were taken into custody at about 12:15 a.m. Tuesday after a Toledo police officer heard gunshots in the 1100 block of Eastgate Road, according to court records. Mr. Owens and Ms. Fall live at the home where the shots were fired. Mr. Hood lives in the 400 block of North Holland-Sylvania Road.
After the shots were fired, the officer saw Mr. Owens carrying a semiautomatic rifle, and Mr. Owens admitted to firing rounds in his back yard, court records show. Ms. Fall had a semiautomatic pistol in a small bag, and she admitted to firing rounds into the ground, records show.
Mr. Hood was carrying a shotgun and also told the officer he had fired rounds. No one was injured.
It is illegal to shoot guns within city limits, said Lt. Kellie Lenhardt, acting spokesman for the Toledo Police Department. Often on holidays throughout the year — especially New Year’s and the Fourth of July — Toledoans will shoot guns in celebration, which Lieutenant Lenhardt said is dangerous.
“What goes up must come down,” she said.
Bullets fired into the air could come down on someone’s property or pet, or even another person, she said. People drinking alcohol and firing weapons on holidays is even more dangerous — and also illegal.
On New Year’s Eve, police departments across the country warned residents not to fire guns in celebration of the new year. In a tweet on Monday, Toledo police Chief George Kral highlighted just how dangerous firing into the air can be, as bullets fall at 300 feet per second.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year's Eve. Please don't shoot guns in the air to celebrate 2019. Those rounds fall at 300 feet per second. pic.twitter.com/UgdQXOGjUy
— Chief George Kral (@gkraltoledo) December 31, 2018
The Columbus and Cleveland divisions of police also issued warnings on social media to anyone thinking about shooting guns in celebration of the new year.
Police warn the public that celebratory gunfire is dangerous. Seriously, can we stop doing this? https://t.co/RdCWsswXhO
— Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) December 31, 2018
First Published January 2, 2019, 8:24 p.m.
