York man charged with terrorizing after allegedly firing gun at neighbor and boats

YORK, Maine — A local man is facing charges of terrorizing and reckless conduct after he allegedly fired a gun at a neighbor and two boats at York Beach on Friday night.

York police responded to the area of Long Beach Avenue and Webber Road at 9:56 p.m. upon receiving a report of someone being shot at, according to Detective Sgt. Thomas Cryan.

“The caller advised that they were outside when the neighbor shot a gun in her direction, and she heard it fly past her head,” Cryan said in a York police press release on Monday. “There were also other people outside at the time and they all took cover in fear of being shot.”

At the scene, officers identified David Ricker, 67, of 297 Long Beach Ave., as the neighbor suspected of firing the shots.

Cryan said a neighbor identified Ricker to the police and indicated the house into which Ricker had entered.

"We've dealt with him before," Cryan said. "We knew who he was."

Cryan said Ricker was arrested in 2018 on charges of domestic violence and criminal threatening with a weapon.

"He's got some history with behavior," Cryan said. "We've probably gotten about 30 calls to that house over the years."

Cryan said Ricker was the only one inside the residence at the time of the incident.

According to Cryan, Ricker had in his possession a Umarex USA Legends Replica MP40 Rifle that “shot high-velocity pellets and .177 projectiles.”

Ricker was within 300 yards of his neighbors when he shot the pellet round, Cryan said. Ricker also was within 300 yards of the two offshore boats at which he is suspected of firing.

Authorities arrested Ricker, brought him to the York Police Department, and charged him with Class C terrorizing, a felony, and Class D reckless conduct, a misdemeanor.

There were no injuries and no reported damage at the time of the incident, which is still under investigation, Cryan said.

As for motive, Cryan said Ricker first gave the impression that he had just gotten the gun and was trying it out. Cryan then said Ricker also might have gotten annoyed by having an Airbnb in the residence next door to him.

"He has changed his story a few times," Cryan said.

Ricker was transported to the York County Jail in Alfred and was arraigned on Monday, Cryan said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York man charged with terrorizing after allegedly firing gun at neighbor and boats