On the night of the 4th of July, Berea Police were called to investigate shots fired on West Jefferson Street. Upon their arrival, officers observed a vehicle that had busted windows allegedly caused by a bullet.
The vehicle was parked near the Berea Senior Citizens Center, where an event was being held. According to a police report, this event saw roughly 40 people gathered inside the building during the time of the reported shooting. During their investigation, officers discovered that another bullet had struck a window of the building, but were unable to locate the bullet or its casing.
Police determined the trajectory of the bullet, leading authorities to residences located on the adjacent North Broadway Street. Due to receiving prior reports of shots being fired at his residence, officers questioned 68-year-old Joseph Fegurgur.
According to an arrest citation, Fegurgur denied shooting any firearms that evening, but allowed police to enter his residence to investigate the firearms he owned. While being escorted through the home, police located an AR-15 rifle, magazine, and ammo near Fegurgur’s back door.
When questioned if he had fired the weapon earlier that evening, Fegurgur reportedly told police that he had discharged the firearm, but not in the direction of the Berea Senior Citizens Center.
Police arrested Fegurgur and seized the rifle and magazine as evidence.
A neighbor of Fegurgur provided a written statement to police, alleging that their family had witnessed him exit his residence and fire a weapon several times earlier in the night. While in transit to the Madison County Detention Center, Fegurgur reportedly told police the weapon he had fired earlier was not the AR-15, but a 12-gauge shotgun instead.
Fegurgur was charged with 1st degree criminal mischief and 1st degree wanton endangerment, and is currently lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
