A Scranton man is facing aggravated assault charges after allegedly firing a gunshot during a dispute outside a Downtown Wilkes-Barre nightclub last week.
Demarco Simmons, 19, of 1630 N. Main Ave., is accused of firing a shot with an AR-15 rifle following a fight that broke out outside The Mines at 105 N. Main St. shortly before 1:30 a.m. Friday. A second Scranton man, Ricky Tahje Jackson, 18, is also facing weapons charges in the incident.
According to police, Simmons, Jackson and other associates got into a fight with another group outside the nightclub before heading down an alley toward East Jackson Street.
Simmons claimed about eight men then approached and began attacking his group, and continued the assault as they fled to Jackson’s Ford Escape that was parked on Meyers Court.
Police said Simmons admitted pulling the rifle out of the vehicle and giving chase as their pursuers turned and ran off. During the foot chase, Simmons ejected two rounds due to a misfire and then fired a single shot that did not hit anyone, according to the complaint.
Officers arriving on scene seized the spent shell casing along with the ejected rounds, police said. They also noted that one of Simmons’ associates had a bloodied mouth.
Investigators found the rifle used in the shooting as well as a second AR-15 that was unloaded inside Jackson’s vehicle.
Jackson was charged with carrying concealed firearms without a license, while police charged Simmons with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
Magisterial District Judge David A. Barilla arraigned both men on the charges and set bail at $10,000 each.
They were being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 16.