A 17-year-old boy was arrested late Friday on felony charges alleging that he fired shots into a house in Canaan as family members, including eight children, cowered on the floor and escaped injury.
The boy allegedly used a .22-caliber handgun to fire three shots — one through the kitchen window, one through the living room window and one through an upstairs bedroom wall, according to Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster.
“We are fortunate that no one was injured at the home and that this dangerous situation was resolved without anyone being harmed,” Lancaster said Monday.
The incident happened at about 7:30 p.m. Friday on Mud Run Road in Canaan. Lancaster said police believe the boy had been drinking.
The initial call came in as a threatening complaint, Lancaster said. The woman caller told a dispatcher at the Somerset County Regional Communications Center that there were three young men outside firing a weapon in the direction of her home.
Cpl. Richie Putnam, Deputy Dan Armiger and Deputy Toby Blodgett responded to the scene. They were later assisted by Maine State Police troopers, the Pittsfield Police Department, Clinton Police Department and a juvenile corrections officer.
Police said they were not identifying the boy because of his age. If he is formally charged with a felony in a juvenile petition, his name can be released at that time.
“A 17-year-old male, who was later arrested, had brought alcohol and three handguns to the residence during the visit, which started earlier that evening,” Lancaster said.
He said the youth became agitated when approached by the boyfriend of the homeowner and a confrontation ensued, in which the boy allegedly made threats toward the boyfriend. The boy then began shooting into the house with a handgun, Lancaster said.
“During the discharging of the firearm, the property owner was hiding on the floor of her home with her children, ranging in age from 2 to 16,” he said, adding that six of the children live at the home and two others were visiting.
The boy later was found at a house on Hill Road in Canaan, where he allegedly became aggressive toward police who were able to restrain him and place him under arrest.
The boy was taken to Mountain View Correctional Center in Charleston. He is charged with reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, a Class C felony, and with criminally threatening with a dangerous weapon, also a Class C felony. He is charged additionally with refusing to submit to arrest and assault, both Class D misdemeanors.
His arraignment in court is scheduled for Monday afternoon. The sheriff’s office will be working with the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues, Lancaster said.
Doug Harlow — 612-2367
Twitter:@Doug_Harlow
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