Gun shots along Gunpowder prompt words of caution
Police investigate after tuber sees shots hit water
By Pat van den Beemt, pvdb@comcast.net
Posted 8/21/09
Rick Morse of Sparks was tubing on the Gunpowder Falls in Monkton on Sunday, Aug. 16, when he heard gunfire.
He said the noise was annoying, but didn’t think much more about the shots until bullets started zipping through the trees over his head.
He became really concerned when bullets landed in the water.
“One landed in the water about 30 feet from my wife and I saw another one hit the water,” Morse said. “Some were hitting the bank on the other side of the river.”
Morse and at least one person on the Department of Natural Resources Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, which parallels the Gunpowder Falls, called police.
“We sent out a helicopter that looked from Big Falls to Monkton, but found nothing,” said Baltimore County police spokesman Bill Toohey. An officer also walked the trail, but did not hear any shots, he said.
“We found no evidence of a crime, but we’ve asked the DNR to keep a closer eye on things,” Toohey said.
Discharging a firearm other than an automatic weapon on land outside the metropolitan area is legal, said police spokesman Cpl. Mike Hill. He said the shooter must be at least 500 feet from any residence.
Automatic weapons are not allowed to be fired anywhere in Baltimore County, he said.
Toohey advised people to call 911 if they feel threatened by gunfire or believe the shooter is acting recklessly.
He said the noise was annoying, but didn’t think much more about the shots until bullets started zipping through the trees over his head.
He became really concerned when bullets landed in the water.
“One landed in the water about 30 feet from my wife and I saw another one hit the water,” Morse said. “Some were hitting the bank on the other side of the river.”
Morse and at least one person on the Department of Natural Resources Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail, which parallels the Gunpowder Falls, called police.
“We sent out a helicopter that looked from Big Falls to Monkton, but found nothing,” said Baltimore County police spokesman Bill Toohey. An officer also walked the trail, but did not hear any shots, he said.
“We found no evidence of a crime, but we’ve asked the DNR to keep a closer eye on things,” Toohey said.
Discharging a firearm other than an automatic weapon on land outside the metropolitan area is legal, said police spokesman Cpl. Mike Hill. He said the shooter must be at least 500 feet from any residence.
Automatic weapons are not allowed to be fired anywhere in Baltimore County, he said.
Toohey advised people to call 911 if they feel threatened by gunfire or believe the shooter is acting recklessly.
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