According to Police Chief Richard Wojiechowsky, on Sunday December 9, 2018 around 1:10am Pottsville Police Patrolman Michael Messner was on patrol in the 800 block of N. Second St when he observed a male later identified as David Terrell Gaskins, 30, Whitehall standing in the roadway actively shooting a firearm.
Upon realizing Messner was present Gaskins fled on foot and was later located by police officers inside 800-34 N. Second Street and taken into custody.
Through the investigation police learned that Gaskins had been at 800-34 N. Second Street minutes before the shooting and had been involved in a verbal altercation with another male inside. Gaskins was escorted from the residence by a female resident and a male friend in an attempt to stop the argument.
Outside the residence, Gaskins walked west on North Second Street and then stated that he was going to “shoot this gun” and removed a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine which had been concealed in his waist band and began firing the weapon into the air.
At the scene police recovered eight (8) 9mm spent shell casings.
At the scene police recovered eight (8) 9mm spent shell casings.
After a search of the area police also found the 9mm handgun that had been discarded by Gaskins as he originally fled the scene.
Pottsville Police were assisted at the scene and in the investigation by police officers from Minersville, Orwigsburg, Palo Alto, Penn State Schuylkill Campus, Schuylkill Haven, and St. Clair. The Pottsville Fire Department also assisted police in the search for the weapon.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Patrolman Messner charging Gaskins with Person not to possess a firearm, Firearms not to be carried without a license, Possessing instruments of crime, Recklessly endangering another person, Simple assault and Discharging a firearm in city limits.
A criminal complaint was prepared by Patrolman Messner charging Gaskins with Person not to possess a firearm, Firearms not to be carried without a license, Possessing instruments of crime, Recklessly endangering another person, Simple assault and Discharging a firearm in city limits.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Reiley and committed to the Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.
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