Shots Fired in Greenfield Neighborhood, Man Arrested After Firing Shotgun Multiple Times

GREENFIELD -- A Greenfield man was arrested and charged after police responded to his neighborhood on a report of multiple gunshots in the area.

When officers arrived on the scene, they reportedly found 38 shell casings on the ground and 11 more in the suspect's pocket.

According to police, on December 29 at 10:12 p.m., Greenfield officers were dispatched to multiple reports of gunshots from multiple 911 callers.

On the way to the area of the complaint, Greenfield officers heard several gunshots. Officers went to the area of the shots and were able to determine that the shots were coming from a home on the 4700 block of South 35th Street, in Greenfield.

Multiple officers set up surveillance on the residence while telephone contact was attempted with the owner, the Shawn A. Clifton.

A short time later, a Greenfield police officer observed Clifton exit the residence and begin picking up items from the ground that were alter determined to be casings.

According to his criminal complaint, officers ordered Clifton to the ground and took him into custody. An officer observed him to have an odor of alcohol, slurred speech and glassy bloodshot eyes and noted he was extremely uncooperative.

The complaint stated that a search of the area revealed 38 shell casings in the driveway and flowerbed for the residence. In addition, Clifton was found to have 11 shell casings in his pocket. All of the shell casings were the same caliber and brand.

An eyewitness said that Clifton woke them up and stated “she had to get up, I have a problem”.

Clifton then stated that he screwed up but would not provide any additional details.

A search of the residence revealed two rifles in a bedroom closet. In addition, ammunition was recovered near the rifles that matched the recovered casings. One of the rifles, a Palmetto with a 5.56 barrel uses the ammunition and casings that were recovered. In addition the firearm appeared to have recently been fired.

Believing Clifton was impaired, an officer asked the defendant to perform field sobriety tests and the defendant refused.

He had been charged with disorderly conduct, endangering safety by use of dangerous weapon while intoxicated. Clifton is out on a $500 cash bond.

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