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Altoona man arrested after multiple reports of shots fired in the city
By Bill Shannon,
9 hours ago
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) – After half a dozen calls came into Blair County 911, an Altoona man was arrested for allegedly firing a gun to break up a fight.
Jordan Anthony Michaels, 19 (Blair County Prison)
Jordan Anthony Michaels, 19, was arrested Thursday evening, Sept. 12, and faces multiple firearm charges along with disorderly conduct and receiving stolen property after allegedly admitting he stole one of the guns months prior.
According to the criminal complaint, Altoona police were dispatched to the alley on the 500 block of Sixth Avenue around 5 p.m. after they said at least six calls for shots fired came into 911. Upon arrival, police said they found a teen bleeding from the nose after an altercation between two small groups.
Through their investigation and speaking to victims and witnesses, police said a fight broke out between five people and Michaels allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired it in the air to stop the fight. According to the charges filed, police were able to watch security footage that showed the fight and Michaels raising his arm before a shot was heard and everyone scattered. They noted they also saw Michaels and another looking around, presumably for the shell casing.
Police said they spoke with Michaels who ultimately admitted to not only firing the gun but allegedly told police he had stolen it months ago in the east end area of Altoona. According to the complaint, Michaels eventually told police he buried it for safekeeping until recently. He then revealed he hid the gun in a trash bag and placed it alongside the house with other trash bags, charges show.
After receiving search warrants, officers were able to find not only the alleged stolen handgun but also a newer-looking handgun later found to have been stolen out of Scranton. According to the complaint, Michaels claimed the second handgun wasn’t his and he did not know who put it in the bag.
Police noted that both guns were loaded with rounds in the magazines.
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Michaels was arraigned before offices opened Friday morning and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $40,000.
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He panicked! He broke several laws. People like him are giving guns a bad rep! He would have eventually been emboldened to shoot someone! Unless there was imminent death or severe bodily harm about to happen , no guns! If you shoot someone even justifiably, you better be clean! Squeaky clean!
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