A 21-year-old Hobart man is facing a felony criminal recklessness charge and two misdemeanor counts after an off-duty Hobart police officer, fishing with his two sons, reported shots fired near Lake George.
Police said about 13 shots were fired on Sunday in the area where the officer and his two young sons were fishing in a creek near Lake George by the city’s rugby field, according to charging documents.
The Hobart officer notified police and moved his children to safety along with other people during a busy day at Festival Park.
As police investigated the area of the shooting, north of Festival Park, they encountered Brett Bates Jr. and another man walking on a trail. The two men said they didn’t hear any gunshots and denied having a weapon, charges state.
Police continued walking westbound on the same walking path and found a black backpack that contained a semi-automatic .22-caliber Glock handgun, a bottle of vodka, and a prescription bottle with Brett Bates’ name, according to court records.
Both Bates and the second man, who was later released, were detained at the rugby field.
“I’m sorry, I shot a few rounds into the lake and did not mean to scare anyone,” Bates told police, according to the charges.
More Top Picks Beard Trimmers
Police warned Bates he had the right to remain silent and observed his watery, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, charges state.
Bates was charged in Lake Superior Court with a felony count of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon, a misdemeanor count of criminal recklessness and a misdemeanor count of public intoxication.
The court assigned Haley McCleary as Bates’ public defender. His next court date is Aug. 11.