Gunfire, standoff near Taft Elementary

YOUNGSTOWN — Gunfire in the 500 block of East Boston Avenue led to a scare at nearby Taft Elementary School and the arrest of the alleged gunman on multiple charges after a standoff involving a police tactical unit and a reported struggle between the gunman and police.

When the incident was over on Wednesday morning, Shawn Green, 34, of 520 E. Boston Ave., was arrested in his residence and taken to Mahoning County jail on charges of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation; drug trafficking; possessing drugs, drug paraphernalia and drug-abuse instruments; and obstructing official business.

After responding to a report of shots fired at 7:49 a.m., police found six 9mm shell casings at the rear door of the house Green occupied and saw four more casings on the floor inside the door, and they observed a bullet hole in the west outside wall of the house at 524 E. Boston Ave.

After police unsuccessfully tried to contact someone inside 520 E. Boston by shouting, using a loudspeaker and cellular phone, and knocking, the tactical unit entered the house. In an upstairs bedroom, police said they found Green, who fought with them as they tried to handcuff him.

In that house, police said they found and seized a bag containing six ounces of marijuana, two scales, bottles of Tramadol and Hydrocodone, 52 rounds of 9mm ammunition, a marijuana pipe, and a pistol holder.

After Green was arrested, three representatives of Taft Elementary came to the scene, expressing concern about students’ safety due to the gunfire, police said. No injuries were reported.