PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles police arrested a man for investigation of reckless endangerment after he shot a handgun and struck an unoccupied car and two fences in the alley on Chase Street between Ninth and 10th streets Tuesday afternoon.
Thomas Patrick Shea of Port Angeles, 35, told police he accidentally shot the gun, officers said in a news release. As of 6:11 p.m. today he had not been booked into jail.
No one was hurt.
Detective Shane Martin said police recovered a .40 caliber Glock handgun. He carried a bag that contained spent casings through the alley to his patrol car.
Martin said Shea initially denied shooting the gun, but later said he discharged it accidentally.
Police investigated a report of shots fired in the area at about 3:30 p.m., according to a news release. Officers were still on scene at about 5:30 p.m.
When they arrived they found an unoccupied vehicle in the alley that had been struck by at least one bullet.
“The vehicle contained evidence suggesting that a bullet passed through the back of the vehicle and into the headrest of one of the seats,” Deputy Chief Jason Viada said in an email. “Other evidence in the area suggested that multiple shots had been fired nearby.”
Sgt. Kory Malone said police were still interviewing Shea, but emphasized that no one was hurt and that police were still collecting evidence.
Police said bullets hit two fences as well as the car.
Malone said one of the bullets fired struck a fence before entering the vehicle. She did not say how many shots were fired.
Viada said anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call police at 360-452-4545.
________
Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
