A Laureldale man was arrested after state police said errant gunfire from his target shooting Sunday evening struck an occupied Bernville‑area home.
Justin A. Epler, 35, was free to await a hearing following arraignment before District Judge Tonya A. Butler in Reading Central Court. State police in Reading charged Epler with discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
According to the probable cause affidavit:
Around 6 p.m., a Penn Township resident reported that shots were being fired toward his home. He told a trooper that he believed the gunfire — which he described as rapid succession — originated from a property south of his.
He said bullets were whizzing past his residence and he was afraid to go outside. He suspected his home may have been struck but wasn’t certain at the time.
Trooper Julio Trejo went to the neighboring property, where he encountered Epler. Asked if anyone had been shooting, Epler — who had a pistol in a waistband holster — said he had fired about 100 rounds while target shooting.
Epler agreed to show Trejo where he had been shooting. The trooper saw that the victim’s residence was approximately 750 feet directly south of Epler’s property.
There was no designated backstop or berm, and the downrange area consisted primarily of wooded terrain.
While speaking with Epler, Trejo was notified by state police dispatch that the victim had found a bullet hole in the exterior of his home.
Trejo told Epler that he was taking possession of Epler’s 9 mm pistol. The trooper went to examine the damaged home.
The bullet had struck a PVC conduit housing the main electrical power lines before penetrating the siding next to a room occupied by the family.
Trejo removed the projectile from insulation and returned to the neighboring property to take Epler into custody.