Jul 2, 2008

Man nabbed for firing semiautomatic pistol

33-year-old reported gunfire as fireworks

By Caitlin Cassady / Bay City News

A Daly City man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning for negligently firing a semiautomatic pistol in the area and then reporting the gunfire as fireworks in an effort to mislead police, a Daly City police captain said.

Justin Brown, 33, was taken into custody and charged with firing a gun in a negligent manner and other related gun violations, Capt. Mike Edwards said. He admitted to police that he had fired more than 15 rounds into the air for no particular reason.

Police responded to the 100 block of Marbly Avenue just before midnight Friday after receiving multiple reports of either fireworks or gunfire. When officers arrived on the street they heard numerous shots fired.

As police began to search the street, Brown saw them and called dispatchers to report that he had heard fireworks, in an effort to throw the officers off his scent, Edwards said. However, his plan backfired, and police were "led right to him."

Officers found a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol on the property, as well as multiple shell casings. Brown was booked into county jail, Edwards said.