Gunfire and Foot Chase Leads to Disorderly Conduct Arrest

An Athens resident was arrested Sunday morning after arguing with police officers during an investigation of reported gunfire, according to reports.

Officers responded to at about 7:15 am, because gunfire had been reported in the area. Shortly before arrival, another officer reported a foot chase nearby and requested backup. 

On arriving, police spoke with Michael Schafer, who was "highly agitated" and yelling at another man standing near one of the apartment buildings, the police report says. Schafer was reportedly pointing and yelling "I got you, I got you." 

As the responding officer spoke with Schafer, he noticed Schafer was acting like a suspect, despite reassurances that he was not under suspicion. Schafer continued to act suspicious, "cursing and swearing at officers" and reportedly calling officers "a gang." When he questioned another policeman's motive for entering the apartment where the gunfire had been heard, Schafer said, "I know the law," the report says.

Schafer told officers that his girlfriend and he went to two other men's apartment, according to the police report. While at the apartment, one of the men reportedly asked Schafer to perform a sex act. Schafer also told police that another man was attempting to take advantage of his girlfriend in another room. Robert Watson, another resident who was in the apartment at the time, said he was asleep and didn't know what was going on. 

When a second policeman attempted to question Schafer, he continued to be belligerent and was arrested for disorderly conduct. He then tensed up while police handcuffed him and "practically made [the officers] carry him," the report says. Once in the car, he reportedly banged his head against the backseat passenger window, which forced officers to pull him away from the door and hobble his feet.

Schafer was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction and transported to the Clarke County Jail.