Monday, Sep. 10, 2012

Police: man arrested after firing gun in yard

A man was arrested Saturday after allegedly firing a handgun in his front yard.

The Los Banos Police Department responded to the 1400 Block of Quail Street around 11:48 p.m. Sept. 8 after reports of shots fired, according to Cmdr. Ray Reyna Jr.

Police said witnesses reported seeing Felipe Gomez, 44, discharge a handgun into the ground and run into his house after an argument with his wife.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol assisted local police as they set up a perimeter around the Gomez residence, police said. Officers ordered Gomez out of the house and, using a search warrant, discovered a handgun inside the residence, according to police.

No injuries were reported during the incident, police said.

Gomez was placed under arrest on suspicion of willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and booked into the Los Banos Jail. Gomez posted bond and is scheduled to appear at the Merced Superior Court in Los Banos on Oct. 15.

Enterprise reporter Thaddeus Miller can be reached at (209) 388-6562 or by email at tmiller@losbanosenterprise.com.