A Woodridge Drive South man was charged Monday evening with illegally discharging a weapon in Stamford limits after he allegedly shot a neighbor's home while cleaning his gun.
Capt. Richard Conklin said John Patrick Duffy was cleaning his Smith & Wesson 40-caliber semi-automatic when he accidentally fired it, striking a home 100 yards away on Florence Avenue.
The man initially denied the charge, but Conklin said he confessed after police inquired about a hole in a front window with a piece of paper scotch-taped over it and informed him he should tell the truth.
Conklin stated the neighbor was home at the time, "heard the bang to off, heard the whiz of the bullet and called police immediately." Conklin said at that time of day, with people coming home from work, it was lucky there were no injuries.
The man received his pistol permit from Stamford the week prior, his state permit on Saturday, May 18, and purchased the gun Monday, May 20, Conklin said. All permits and the weapon have been seized for review pending the outcome of the case.
Duffy faces an additional charge of first-degree reckless endangerment and is currently out on $1,000 bond. He has a court date of May 31.
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