Police question man who was shooting pistol in neighborhood
BUTLER TWP — A report this morning of a man shooting an automatic rifle on Dutchtown Road was not quite what it sounded like when police arrived.
The shots were reported about 7:30 a.m. in the 170 block of Dutchtown Road, and initial reports indicated the man was shooting and yelling.
Chief John Hays of the township police said when officers arrived, they found the man. He had a pistol and claimed he was target shooting behind a house.
The man, who Hays would not yet identify, was taken to the police station for questioning. Hays said it was not clear what relationship, if any, the man had to nearby property owners.
Hays said the area is mainly suburban, and there were houses near where the man was shooting. He said this will factor into any potential charges.
“He should not have been doing that,” Hays said.
He said he believes that township ordinances do not allow shooting outside of approved ranges.
“That’s definitely not an approved range,” Hays said.