Deputies: Man in Golf Cart Shoots City Water Tower
A Dunedin man is arrested for going on an early Tuesday shooting spree in his golf cart at Dunedin Golf Club. No one was injured, but one of his rounds caused damage to the city water tower.
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An intoxicated Dunedin man who went on an early morning shooting spree at a golf course and caused damage to the city water tower is in custody, authorities report.
Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies responded to several calls from residents saying they heard gunfire in the area of Dunedin Golf Club around 3:40 a.m. Tuesday.
They began searching for the source of the gunfire when they saw a vehicle coming off a golf cart access road. When they stopped the cart they encountered Mark Fitzgerald, 49, of 2340 Mangrum Drive, displaying signs of impairment. He was armed with a high-powered .308-caliber rifle and a 45-caliber handgun.
Fitzgerald had fired rounds earlier while riding in his golf cart on the course, deputies report.
Fitzgerald told deputies he was looking for his dog and brought his guns with him for protection against coyotes.
One of Fitzgerald's rounds struck the 200-foot City of Dunedin water tower, located just south of Curlew Road and east of Bayshore Boulevard.
Water is reported to be leaking from the bullet hole in the tower, which holds about a million gallons of city water.
The city of Dunedin is working to get the damages to the water tower repaired, deputies report.
Fitzgerald was arrested on the charge of felony criminal mischief, discharging a firearm and use of a firearm while under the influence. He is in custody at Pinellas County Jail.
No injuries are reported.
The investigation is ongoing.
This story is still developing. Stay with Dunedin Patch for updates.
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[Story Last Updated Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 at 1:04 p.m.]
Jasminetea
1:50 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Now that's scary!
Monty Seidler
3:18 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yeah, everyone should have guns! This fool should have them all taken away!
Bill McElligott
3:44 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Most folks do real well with Golf Clubs on the course ! But im sure they would let him "play Thru" if he asked LOL
Tra Hitt
4:26 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Everyone knows that the only way to defeat a coyote is with a road runner, not a rifle....duh
Jason France
6:56 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
haha Yes! @Tra Hitt
Merrill
8:57 am on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
"An intoxicated Dunedin man who went on an early morning shooting spree at a golf course and caused damage to the city water tower is in custody, authorities report.
He was armed with a high-powered .308-caliber rifle and a 45-caliber handgun."
AND THERE IS NO GUN CONTROL FOR GOOD NEIGHBORS LIKE THIS??????????
Cecilia
1:15 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
In other words the water tower did not stand a chance because of the superior fire power of the shooter? Unbelievalbe, these kinds of firearms on the streets (golf courses) of our city. All jokes aside, this is scary.
Michael A. Quill
8:32 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Mike Quill
All of the above comments are very understanable, given the actions of this person. What I would like to point out, is GREAT JOB PCSO in your response, and handleing of this situation. What I would like to point out is this. That police call came in to the Deputies as shots fired, man with a gun. The Deputies who responded to that call were responding to a very dangerious situation. Not really knowing what to expect, or what they would find. They handled that call with arrest, no one hurt or shot, and the Neighbors in that immediate area were no longer exposed to that type of danger. Thank God that bullet found only the water tower.
Police situations don't always turn out this well. But, when they do we need to recognize it, and thank our Law Enforcement Agency. This is a testament to the training, Supervison and skill level of our PCSO.
Thank you PCSO, great job, and be safe.....
valerie strochhia
11:11 am on Friday, December 14, 2012
Some of the comments I am reading are ridiculous, like suggesting Mark Fitzgerald does not have a dog. Do you know him? Well I do and he DOES have a dog that was indeed lost that night and I will go on to say that what he did was beyond comprehension and inexcuseable and it it he that has to live with the shame and embarrassement. The 'jokes' I read about this incident are less than humorous. He made a mistake and now has to pay the consequences.
Fahkir
10:22 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Seems your city has more problems than a guy going off his meds.