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Shots rang out near a local park on May 28, and a juvenile was quickly taken into custody.

Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn said the incident took place near Beeland Park, but no one was injured.

“He was near the wood line — not in the park,” the chief said. “He fired several shots in the air. I believe there were still people in the park for ballgames and such. It could have been a dangerous situation.”

Lovvorn said officers responded quickly and located the suspect who was running from the area.

“He was off beside the park,” Lovvorn said. “He was located within a few minutes. Officers found the gun on him and he’s been sent off to juvenile detention.”

Lovvorn said the juvenile had a .38 caliber pistol in his possession and was charged with discharging a firearm within the city limits and a felony charge of certain persons forbidden to possess a pistol. He said officers went back to the area he was shooting in and located a tin can he appeared to be shooting at.

Lovvorn said that it is illegal and dangerous to shoot a firearm within the city limits.

“A projectile fire in the air must come back down,” he said. “A bullet can return to earth as speeds between 300 and 700 feet per second, fast enough to pierce a person’s skull. This could easily kill someone or cause serious physical injury. The Greenville Police Department is stepping up measures to locate and identify anyone who discharges a firearm within the city limits for any reason. This is not a victimless crime and could result in a felony charge.”

Lovvorn also encouraged anyone who sees or hears gunfire within the city to call 911 to report it.

“We have a lot of these type situations,” he concluded. “It happens much more frequently in bigger cities like Montgomery. If it (bullet) comes down and kills somebody, they’ll go to prison. They’ll be charged with manslaughter or worse.”