By Sentinel Staff
City maintenance staff recovered a fired bullet from the roof of City Hall Monday, in what police described as a likely negligent discharge.
No one was harmed, though the impact of the projectile caused a leak in the roof of the building.
Police Lt. John Achee told the Sentinel that the bullet penetrated the roofing material, but didn’t enter the building itself.
In a press release, Police Chief Robert Baty reminded Sitkans not to discharge their firearms in or near populated areas.
“What goes up must come down. Please do not shoot firearms within populated areas as there can be dire consequences,” Baty wrote.
The release added that it’s a class A misdemeanor to shoot with reckless disregard for life or property.
Officials believe the incident occurred in the past week. The bullet is .45 caliber and was entered into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network, the release said.
Achee told the Sentinel that this is “a fingerprint for the bullet.”
He added that the bullet is a full metal jacket projectile, similar to those loaded into .45 ACP ammunition.
Baty was glad that the bullet didn’t hit anyone.
“We are fortunate that no one was injured in this event, although it has caused substantial damage to city property,” he said.
