Shooting Pellet Gun Leads to Charges of Criminal Trespass and Possession of Marijuana

By Brittini Ray

An Athens resident was charged with possession of marijuana and criminal trespass on August 4 in Nellie B Homes.

Police dispatch got a call from someone who told them a black man, dressed all in black, was shooting a pellet gun. The caller was concerned that children in the area might be hit.

Police officers responded to the call and handcuffed Brian Fitzgerald Harris, 18, who was dressed all in black and who was apparently the pellet gun shooter. 

When police tried to question Harris, he continued to back away. He then appeared to throw away--which police later identified as a small quantity of marijuana.

As the police were handcuffing Harris, he told he had been barred from all Athens Housing Authority property, including Nellie B Homes, where police found him on August 4. He was charged with criminal trespass.