Man Fired Gunshots Into Apartment Wall With Children Nearby: Police

DUMFRIES, VA — A man fired multiple gunshots inside a Dumfries apartment on Saturday, police said. Authorities said five children were inside the apartment when the man fired the gunshots.

No injuries were reported in the shooting, according to the Prince William County Police Department. The only property damage reported was related to the gunshots in the wall.

Police identified the man as 27-year-old Marcus Maleek Dandridge. He is charged with five counts of child neglect, one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling, one count of reckless handling of a firearm, and one count of brandishing.

If convicted of all charges, Dandridge could face up to 32 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

The shooting occurred before 1 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Townsquare at Dumfries Apartments. Police officers determined that Dandridge had an argument with a female family member. During the argument, Dandridge grabbed his gun and fired multiple shots into a wall in the apartment's hallway, police said.

Authorities said there were five children, ranging from 11-months-old to 5-years-old, in the apartment when the shots were fired. The family member left the apartment with the children after Dandridge fired the shots, according to the police report.