PORT ANGELES — A man who said he accidentally fired his handgun within city limits has turned himself in after he failed to show up to his preliminary appearance in Clallam County District Court on Wednesday.
Police said Thomas Patrick Shea of Port Angeles, 35, walked into the Port Angeles Police Department at 9:45 a.m. Thursday and surrendered, police said in a statement.
“It is anticipated that Shea will remain in the Clallam County jail over the weekend and appear in court on Monday, May 13, unless he posts bail a second time,” according to the statement.
District Court Judge Rick Porter ordered a warrant for Shea’s arrest after Shea posted $1,000 bail and did not show up for the court hearing Wednesday.
Porter set the Shea’s new bail for $2,500 cash or $25,000 bond on Wednesday.
Shea was first arrested Tuesday for investigation of reckless endangerment after a neighbor reported at about 3:30 p.m. she had found a bullet hole in her vehicle and heard multiple “bangs” about a half hour earlier.
Officers determined that a single bullet had traveled from the backyard area of 308 E. Ninth St. and went through two fences before striking the vehicle, records say.
Police recovered a .40 caliber Glock handgun, three spent casings and one live round, according to police reports.
Shea told police he was cleaning his .40 caliber Glock pistol when he accidental fired two rounds, which he said he thought went into the dirt.
Shea has been charged with reckless endangerment and prosecutors said they would need to more closely review the case and review state laws before making any additional charging decisions.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
