Atwater man accused of firing gun in the air during dispute; no one injured

A 23-year-old Atwater man faces possible misdemeanor charges on suspicion of firing a gun into the air Monday morning during a dispute at a bus stop, the Police Department reported.

No one was injured.

Weston Davis is believed to have fired a single round from a black Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun about 7 a.m. at a bus stop near Winton Way and Bellevue Road, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Davis got into some type of argument with a 22-year-old man and pulled the firearm, Joseph said. Davis pointed the gun at the other man, firing once into the air, he said.

Officers found Davis a short time later at his home. He was cited on two misdemeanors: negligent discharge of a firearm and brandishing a weapon. He was not booked into jail, police confirmed.

“The case will be sent to the (Merced County) District Attorney’s Office for review and possible filing of criminal charges,” Joseph said.

The gun apparently belonged to one of Davis’ friends, who was aware Davis had possession of the weapon. The firearm was surrendered to police a short time later, Joseph said.

Joseph noted that it was fortunate nobody was injured and said the incident should remind people about the importance of gun safety.

This story was originally published January 12, 2015 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Atwater man accused of firing gun in the air during dispute; no one injured."