An Ocala man was arrested recently after firing his new gun in his backyard.
Deputies responded to a report of shots from a home on N.W. 59th Court in the Ocala Park Estates area. When deputies arrived, they reported hearing shots coming from behind a nearby house and took cover, a sheriff’s office report states.
Deputies then observed 50-year-old Roger William Wittman behind a car at 5830 N.W. 59th Ct. Wittman went into his backyard and deputies heard about 15 more shots. Wittman then came back to the front of his residence and was detained by deputies. He claimed he was testing out his new handgun and had been firing it in a “safe manner,” a sheriff’s office report states.
After deputies recovered a black 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun, as well as an empty magazine and a full one, Wittman was read his rights. He again claimed that he was firing his new handgun in a safe and controlled manner in his backyard. He said he was shooting at pine logs, which deputies noted were about 15 feet from his residence, the report says, adding that it appeared Wittman was shooting toward his house, which was near three other residences.
Wittman was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with firing a weapon in public or on residential property. He was released on his own recognizance and is due in court May 12 at 1 p.m., jail records show.