VALDOSTA — Police faced a man with a sword Friday.
Around 11:50 p.m., officers headed to the 400 block of Heritage Place after E911 callers reported gunshots and someone banging on front doors, a Valdosta Police Department statement said.
Officers found a 43-year-old suspect walking down a street drinking from a liquor bottle and carrying a sword.
As officers approached, the man threw the sword down. Police also saw a holster and a firearm on the ground behind the suspect, as well as several spent shell casings.
Officers searched but did not find anyone who was injured or any property damage, the statement said.
The man was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct, misdemeanor public drunk and misdemeanor discharge of a gun near a public highway, police said.
“Our officers did a great job, quickly responding to the area and identifying the offender. This offender’s action, by discharging a firearm while intoxicated, was careless and reckless, putting many lives in danger,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan.
Anyone with information on this case should contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.