Residents on Queen Anne had a rude awaking early this morning when they thought a man was shooting a gun, a woman was crying, and people were running. In the end, it turned out to be two intoxicated people shooting Roman Candles at each other.
At around 3:30 this morning, the 911 center was flooded with about 30-40 calls from residents reporting what they thought were anywhere from 6 to 10 shots fired in the area of the 400 Block of West Republican Street. Some callers stated that they saw a male shooting a gun, others reported hearing a woman crying and people running. As officers were arriving, they were met with many witnesses and varying descriptions of the events.
Officers were able to determine that the suspects ran into an apartment at 500 West Mecer Street. Officers contacted the occupants. Both the 33- year-old man and 23-year-old woman showed signs of intoxication and officers could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the apartment. The woman was cooperative and explained what happened to the officers, while the man was less than forthcoming and argumentative.
According to the woman, she and the man were outside 500 W. Mercer Street shooting Roman Candle fireworks at each other. The woman had not been crying, as some witness reported, rather had been laughing. The remains of the fireworks were recovered in the street. Each candle had explosive orbs, which accounts for the witnesses who thought they saw the man holding a gun and flashes from the “muzzle”.
Officers documented the incident thoroughly and have requested charges of Reckless Endangerment for the two suspects.