Chapman

Chapman

SANFORD — A 30-yearold Sanford man charged with shooting a handgun from a second-story motel balcony in the downtown area early Monday has been released on $500 cash bail. No one was injured.

Matthew Chapman was taken into custody by Sanford Police shortly after officers were called to the Oakwood Inn Town Motel, 945 Main St., at 1:23 a.m. Monday. He was charged with Class C felony reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

Chapman lived at the motel, police said.

Detective Eric H. Small said police don’t know Chapman’s motive.

“We don’t suspect he was shooting at anything in particular – certainly not at a person – but it’s not really safe to do that,” said Small, who pointed out the adjacent Sunset Towers senior and disabled apartment complex.

Small said the smoking area for the apartment building is nearby, and that people are out there at all hours of the day and night. “It was a major public safety concern,” he said.

Police heard the gunshots themselves when they arrived at the motel less than a block from Sanford Police Station. A search of Chapman’s motel room turned up a 380-caliber handgun and additional ammunition.

A condition of Chapman’s release on bail is that he not possess a weapon.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Small at 324-9170, ext. 227.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282- 1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.


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