Police: Man fired gun near someone’s head in Center Township
A Center Township man is accused of firing a gun near someone’s head, according to charging documents filed by state police.
Steven M. Sheptak, 38, of Butler, was charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanors simple assault and reckless endangerment following an incident at a Center Township residence Sept. 4.
Officers responded to reports of a gunshot at a home on Orchard Lane around 6 p.m. that day. When they arrived, police said Sheptak was taken into custody without incident.
According to documents, Sheptak had been asked to leave the residence following an argument.
Police said he then retrieved a rifle and placed it in his mouth. Sheptak then removed the gun from his mouth and fired it into the air, directly next to someone’s left ear, according to police.
The person reported retreating to a neighbor’s home and police were notified, documents showed. The person also reported having ringing in their ear and difficulty hearing.
A search warrant was served at the Orchard Lane residence, and police said they found a Mossberg Patriot rifle inside.
Sheptak was placed in Butler County Prison on Sept. 5 in lieu of $100,000 bail. His preliminary hearing before District Judge Lewis Stoughton is scheduled for Sept. 19.