A Connecticut man has been arrested on multiple charges after police allege that he was illegally firing a weapon from his residence in Lisbon on Saturday while under the influence.
James Adams, 66, of Lisbon is charged with illegal discharge of a firearm, illegal carry of a firearm while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace after he was arrested at his home on Saturday afternoon, according to the Connecticut State Police.
Troopers from Troop E in Montville responded to a residence on North Burnham Highway in Lisbon around 3:51 p.m. for a report of gunshots heard in the area, state police said.
A trooper spoke with caller, who said they were outdoors with a friend working on an home project when they heard gunshots nearby. The person told the trooper they heard what sounded like a bullet whizzing past them and striking their home, according to state police.
The person and their friend said they suspected the shots were fired from a home across the street and provided footage from a Ring camera, which showed them ducking for cover and also reportedly captured the sound of a projectile flying by, state police said.
The caller showed the trooper where the bullet struck the home, and the trooper confirmed that a .22 caliber bullet was lodged in the siding on the front of the house, according to state police.
After confirming that no one was injured by the gunshots, troopers made contact with the alleged suspect across the street, who was identified as Adams.
“While speaking with Adams inside his home, troopers quickly noted signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol and slurred speech,” state police said. “During the conversation, Adams admitted to shooting a squirrel on his property, claiming he was aiming toward the northeast and shooting in a downward trajectory. However, when troopers spoke with a family member at the residence, they were told that Adams had actually shot two squirrels on the southwest side of the property, a direction that the trooper determined pointed toward the complainant’s home.”
State police seized the rifle used in the incident as evidence, and Adams surrendered his remaining firearms and ammunition to troopers.
Adams was arrested and transported to Troop E where he was later released on a $1,500 bond. He is scheduled to appear for an arraignment on Jan. 23 at Norwich Superior Court.
