Deputies: Man in Golf Cart Shoots City Water Tower

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.]