nothin New Haven Independent | Gunshots at Swamp Lead to Early Morning Arrest

Gunshots at Swamp Lead to Early Morning Arrest

A 29-year-old man, barred from possessing guns, was discovered allegedly shooting his rifle from a rain battered swamp at Pisgah Brook, where he was stuck in his partially open Yamaha Rhino ATV early Sunday morning. Police from Branford and North Branford found him trapped at the swamp near the North Branford line.

Antonio Mauro, who lives at the home of his parents at 186 Laurel Hill Road, not far from the swamp, was discovered by police at about 2:15 a.m after police from both departments investigated complaints of gunshots for more than an hour. Police said that they interviewed Mauro and learned he appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. He also admitted taking more prescription medication that prescribed, police said. Police did not identify the medication. 
 
According to Lt. Geoffrey Morgan, Mauro currently has a protective order as a result of a previous family violence arrest. That arrest prohibits him from possessing any firearms. After police patted him down at the scene, they said, they found Mauro had several weapons, including a Norinko SKS rifle, a .38 caliber revolver in an ankle holster, a 9mm Kahr Arms semi-automatic pistol in his waistband and a 6” Renegade knife on his belt.

All of the weapons were fully loaded as well as 3 additional magazines for the 9mm pistol, according to police. Police said the guns belonged to another family member. They seized them. 
 
Morgan said that the gunshots sounded like a large caliber rifle and that they were coming from deep within the woods. As the officers honed in, they determined the gunshots were coming from Branford town property known as the Pisgah Brook. The property is located between Brushy Plains Road and Laurel Hill Road.
 
When they spotted Mauro, he was in his partially open ATV with a rifle visible on the seat next to him,” Morgan said. They removed him from the ATV at gunpoint without incident.
 
These are very dangerous situations for police officers to investigate,” Chief John DeCarlo said. I’m very grateful that the officers weren’t injured during this potentially life threatening situation…”

Mauro was charged with carrying a gun without a permit, carrying a firearm under the influence, criminal possession of a gun, carrying a dangerous weapon, violation of a protective order, criminal trespassing and violation of a town ordinance. He was later released on a $10,000 police bond. He was scheduled to appear in New Haven’s state court today.

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