Man claims bullets enter house
JACKSON TWP — A neighbor of the Evans City Sportsman Club says bullets from the rifle range have entered his property — and his house.
Steve Longwell Sr., who lives about a quarter-mile down range from the club, said stray bullets were a small problem when he moved in, but have become worse over the 34 years he has lived there.
Since noticing the bullet holes in his house's siding — one near his daughter's bedroom and close to an upstairs hallway — Longwell has made contact with the club and police.
He wants the club to pay for repairs to his siding and his roof, as he believes stray bullets have damaged them.
Longwell also contacted Jackson Township and state police. Jackson Police Chief Terry Seilhamer said he believes the police's duty is to inform the club of Longwell's concern, but not to get involved any further.
“He understands that it's a civil issue. ... It's really not in our purview,” Seilhamer said.
Jackson Township Manager Chris Rearick confirmed the township considers the dispute a civil matter.
The bullets caught Longwell's attention when his wife, Jodi, and son, Aidan, reportedly heard bullets flying past them in late June.
On June 26, the family went to the club to speak with management, they said. Longwell said the club president, Joe Stewart, spoke with them later that night.
“The president came to my house and he apologized, and he mentioned that he had opened the range for pistol shooting, and (that) he probably shouldn't have done that,” Longwell said.
Neither Stewart, Vice President Bob Goetz nor Director Ed Aschley returned several emails, phone calls and voicemails seeking comment. The club's listed phone number was not answered, and its voice mail was full.
Longwell said his family attended the club's July 8 meeting and asked if they could make any improvements to ensure safety.
“They told us they were going to close the range down until they could figure out how to make it safe,” he said.
On its website, the club has a notice that “the rifle range is now closed to all shooting due to a potential safety issue.” It is dated July 13.
Longwell said the club kept that promise for a while, but has held several events at the rifle range following their meeting.
He contacted the township police on July 25. Seilhamer said the range is open only when there is a certified range safety officer on scene.
Meanwhile, the family has hired an attorney, and Longwell said he hopes the matter is resolved soon. He added that he believes club members are unaware of the issue and that the club's leadership has failed to improve the situation.
“I believe that the leadership down here isn't doing what's necessary,” he said. “I don't know what their agenda is, but safety isn't on it.”
