By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Police responded to multiple reports of gunfire Sunday afternoon and found a young child had discharged an AK-47 twice, with the bullets apparently traveling through the wall of the residence and into a vehicle parked outside.
No one was injured.
A Sitka Police Department news release said several callers had reported hearing gunfire at 4:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of Halibut Point Road. Three officers responded, knowing only the general location and time and that a gun had been fired twice.
“When we first got there it was an extremely chaotic and terrifying scene,” said Sgt. Lance Ewers. “People were running from their houses, and seeking cover as the three officers moved toward the location where the gunfire (came from).”
Police did not release the precise address where the incident occurred, to protect the identity of the two children who may have been involved, Police Chief Robert Baty said.
“Officers arrived on scene and located one vehicle with what appeared to be two bullet holes in the driver door,” the release said. “Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants of the residence and a toddler came to the door. Officers were able to gain entrance into the residence and located another child, an infant who was in a crib.”
Police talked to the father of the two children, who had been sleeping in a back room of the residence. “Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the incident,” Police Chief Robert Baty said today.
Police investigated and determined that loaded firearms had been left unsecured in the residence and the toddler, described as under age 5, had discharged a weapon twice in the residence. Both bullets traveled through the wall and into the neighbor’s SUV parked outside in the parking lot, some 20 feet away, police said.
The case was forwarded to the district attorney’s office for possible charges, as well as to the Office of Children’s Services, police said.
