Homeowner Fires Gun After Being Told To Douse Fire Pit: Police

ODENTON, MD — An Odenton resident was reportedly so upset that Anne Arundel County Firefighters ordered him to extinguish a blaze in a fire pit on his property that he fired a gun into the air, officials say. James Ernest Armentrout, 62, was charged with discharging a firearm within 100 feet of a structure and reckless endangerment after the heated encounter with fire officials.

Anne Arundel County Police say they were called to Armentrout's home in the 2600 block of Evergreen Roadabout 7 p.m. Friday to help the fire department. Fire personnel were first called to the residence on a report that the homeowners were using a fire pit. After being told to extinguish the fire, Armentrout allegedly became upset, went into his residence, and shot a gun into the air as the fire department left, police say.

Firefighters left the scene and contacted police, who went to the house and took Armentrout into custody without incident. A total of 34 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found inside the house.

There were no injuries and no property damage reported, police said.

Photo of James Armentrout, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police