Police: Man fires gun during argument, throws rocks into neighbors yard
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Springfield Police arrested a man for firing a .22 caliber pistol during a fight early Sunday morning, making for their third handgun-fired-during-fight arrest within 24 hours.
At around 1 a.m. Sunday morning officers responded to a call reporting shots fired at 5505 B Street in Springfield.
The caller said that his neighbor, identified as Kurt Stephen Elkins, 25, shot his handgun into the air while arguing with a man in the street outside his house. They reported after firing the shot, Elkins came over to their house and started throwing rocks into their yard.
Arriving officers took Elkins into custody before questioning him about the incident.
Elkins told police that an unknown man in the street threatened him with a knife.
Elkins said that he got his handgun from a nearby truck and fired a single round into the air, causing the man to run away.
Police said that Elkins then put away his gun, walked to a nearby residence and started throwing rocks at the house, thinking that the unidentified man lived there.
Police charged Elkins with shooting a firearm within city limits, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Officials found the .22 handgun inside Elkins' truck as well as a matching shell casing in the street.
Police officers are still looking for the second man involved. Police describe him as a white male in his 40's, possibly wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Springfield Police at (541) 726-3714.
This incident marks the third arrest made in 24 hours in which someone fired a handgun during a fight.
If the guy threaten his life with a knife he should of shot the dude dead instead of trying to scare him off first and then everything would of been alright . At least he wasn't kill happy and you say he wasn't responsable, ya right. he should of called the cops and reported it before he did anything else and that would of made the difference I guess.
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This is why I think firearm safety should be taught to seniors in high school. We educate them in health hazards of tobacco and unprotected intercourse, but at the age of 18 cut them loose with the constitutional right to buy a gun with potentially no idea how to properly operate, clean or use responsibly for defense. If the story of the unknown knife wielding man turns out to be true this guy could have been trying to defend himself not realizing you don't fire "warning shots". This is a common mistake for new or uneducated (in basic firearms laws) people. I am a firm believer in our 2nd amendment rights, but I am also a firm believer in the responsibility of society to taking steps to help train/educate people properly.
 @Twistthewrist I disagree.  Only about 30% of Americans  are currently gun owners.  There's no reason for ALL seniors to be trained.  Rather, a person should be required to get training before being able to buy their first gun, and then get re-certified every so often, similar to driver's licenses.  Currently there is no training requirement for gun purchases (unless they then go on to get a conceal carry permit, but even then the training is in a classroom, without even having to fire a single bullet, in Oregon!).
@Baldr Odinson @Twistthewrist There is no re-certification for drivers licenses in Orergon written or driving.  I've had one for half a century and all I had to do was take an eye test when I got older. I wonder what country Baldr resides in where there is a re-certification?
 @hewhoo It's a "special" one just for him. =P
 @Baldr Odinson That's because gun ownership is a right, not a privilege.Â
 @Twistthewrist Don't try...he doesn't listen nor does he care!
 @PleaseBeSmart  @Baldr Odinson That's Baldr. Even when present with ideas of how to educate the masses in safety and responsibility all he does is tout is ideology of removing our rights and spews obscure made-up "facts". What I presented is the most terrifying idea for his kind, one that could potentially educate the masses on the true nature of firearms and the responsibility that goes with owning one.Â
Another fool with a gun. Â Did he really need a lethal weapon to solve his problem? Â If he had the ability to retreat to his vehicle to get the gun, then he had the ability to LEAVE without firing, and call the police. Â We need to do more to keep guns out of the hands of idiots like this one.
 @Baldr Odinson There's meaning to the old saying, "shouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight."
These people are coming out of the woodwork! Scary!!
It must be video games, or that rock n roll music, maybe we should arm all birds and squirrels to prevent this from happening again.
What goes up must come down. And, Springfield is highly populated these days.
another smart twenty something kid! his story makes for another idiot wth a gun. with all these young kids shooting up springfield, the city jail they have is filling up fast!
 @footeb1 And "I hope" they are charging and making them pay in the way they say they would!