Deputies say the driver of the vehicle, Chad Palmer, 23, of Buxton was drunk. He was charged with OUI and aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm, a Class B felony. His bail on the two charges was set at $600.
His passenger, Mark O’Brien, 29, of Hollis was charged with Class B felony aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm. His bail was set at $500.
Deputies Kevin Collins and Heath Mains were at the Lil Mart Store on the Plains Road in Hollis when they heard several gunshots coming from the direction of Waterboro Road, King said.
“While trying to decipher exactly where the gunshots came from, the deputies observed a vehicle driving toward them from the direction of the gunshot sounds,” he said. “The vehicle, containing two men, pulled into the Lil Mart, and the driver got out and entered the store. The passenger followed after a few minutes. When they emerged from the store, the deputies initiated a conversation since they suspected they might either be involved in the gunshots or have additional information. After making contact, the deputies determined they both had been drinking.”
The sheriff said both men declined to answer questions or admit any knowledge about the reports of gunshots in the area.
He said Palmer was uncooperative when Collins attempted a field sobriety test and he was arrested in the OUI charge.
“During a routine inventory search of the vehicle, deputies located several loose 9 mm rounds of ammunition and two boxes of 9 mm caliber ammunition scattered on the floor of the vehicle. Further inspection turned up a 9 mm Glock pistol tucked between the passenger seat and the center console. A subsequent search of the passenger, Mark O’Brien, turned up a magazine containing six 9 mm rounds and two loose rounds in his front pocket,” King said in the statement.
“As the investigation continued, deputies scoured the area and located shell casing that where identical in make and caliber to the ones found on O’Brien and in the vehicle,” said King. “These casings were found on Deerwander Road, Mansion Road, as well as Waterboro Road only several hundred yards from the Lil Mart. Further investigation discovered what appeared to be a bullet hole in the siding of a residence on Deerwander Road.
The two are expected to make a first court appearance later today by video from York County Jail.
— 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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