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GLENDALE, Ariz. - A man who police say violated Shannon's Law by firing gunshots into the air during Fourth of July celebrations in Glendale was arrested.
According to court documents, police received 911 calls of shots fired outside an apartment complex near 63rd and Olive Avenues just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
When officers got to the scene, they encountered a man holding a rifle, standing next to a staircase. The man went inside an apartment, came back outside without the rifle, and then went back inside.
A drone was used by police to observe the man in the apartment. At this time, police say they saw multiple shell casings next to the staircase leading to the suspect's apartment, as well as more shell casings on the apartment's balcony.
Eventually, the suspect came outside and was detained.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Conrad Washington, denied firing gunshots into the air and claimed it was someone else, police said.
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Man shoots off 100 rounds on July 4th, PD says
"He heard the shooting and figured it was his time," court documents read. "He claimed his intention was to commit [sic] suicide outside in the courtyard."
Washington allegedly admitted to holding a loaded AR-15 when he was originally met by police. Police say he later admitted to firing 11-12 shots into the air.
After obtaining a search warrant for Washington's apartment, police say they found firearms and 100 shell casings.
Police say Washington's actions violated Shannon's Law, which makes it illegal to fire a gun into the air in Arizona cities and towns. The law is named after 14-year-old Shannon Smith, who was in her backyard when a bullet fell from the sky, striking her in the head and killing her.
"100 rounds were fired into the air by the defendant who gave no regard for where they would land or the lives of others who he once served as a member of the United States military," court documents read. "Bullets are just as deadly falling from the sky as they are when intentionally fired at someone."
Conrad Washington
Court documents say Washington has a prior arrest history stemming from his time in the military and is barred from re-enlistment. He allegedly also has an outstanding warrant out of Florida for disorderly conduct.
Washington was booked into jail and is accused of discharging a firearm within city limits and endangerment.
Witness describes the scene
"He popped it off 8 times, went back in the house, reloaded, came back out, popped it again, went back in there, reloaded, and the next thing you see all these cops surrounding everybody," said Kathi Schmidt, a witness.
Although fireworks were going off at the same time, she says the gunshots were obvious.
"And he was shooting it that way, towards the air, but it doesn’t matter. There were kids around and one of those bullets can hit a kid," she said.
After receiving several 911 calls, Glendale Police launched their drone and scoured the scene from above at their crime lab.
"That drone was able to go in and safely assess the situation. They were able to locate this individual. When this individual spotted that drone … at that point decided to flee into the apartment, and that’s where our officers were able to pinpoint where they were, start the negotiation," says Jose Santiago with Glendale Police.
New tech tracks down suspect
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Tech explained that tracked down July 4th Glendale suspect
The department credits new technology, including their drone and crime lab, for leading them to the suspect.
Tom Chittum is the senior vice president of SoundThinking. The company provides this technology to police departments like Glendale.
"It’s the same way that scientists detect the epicenter of earthquakes," he said. "We measure the time difference of arrival, how quickly the sound reaches one sensor over another sensor, and in that way, we can determine where a shooter has fired a gun."
Pinpointing it from anywhere in the city.
He says they spread out sensors to areas that have historically experienced high levels of gun crime.
Arrests often come from this kind of technology, but Chittum says this incident took a lot of effort.
"Fourth of July and New Year's Eve are challenging times for us. It uses an incredible amount of technology and a hands-on-deck approach to make sure we can accurately sort out fireworks from the sound of gunfire," he explained.
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Man fired 100 shots into air on 4th of July: police
A man who police say violated Shannons Law by firing gunshots into the air during Fourth of July celebrations in Glendale was arrested.
If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line).
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.
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