Gunshots lead police to shooter

YOUNGSTOWN -- Police responded Monday to gunshots being fired on the East Side and quickly located a 39-year-old city man who said he had been shooting his M-16 rifle into the woods.
Dale Wamsley, of 1356 Hawn St., was charged with discharging a firearm in the city and using weapons while intoxicated, both misdemeanors. Police found an open container of beer in the area where he had been shooting.
Officer Pete Bonilla said officers were called to the corner of Ayers and Hawn streets at about 2:20 p.m. and heard the gunshots coming from one block away. When they got to Wamsley's house, they saw him running inside.
Inside the house, Bonilla located the M-16 under some clothing, and the gun's barrel was still warm. Seventeen shell casings were found near the beer outside, he said.
Other firearms, including a shotgun and two pistols, and ammunition, were also found in the home and taken into evidence, Bonilla said. He is not being charged with owning any of the other firearms or ammunition, Bonilla said.
Officers said it not known yet whether the M-16 was an automatic, which would be illegal to possess.