A man said he had cleaned his gun and went outside to fire a few rounds, said Middletown Maj. Scott Reeve. The man lives a couple of houses from the senior facility with a large field located in front.
His residence is in Lemon Twp., so the man was not breaking any laws, Reeve said.
“He told me he would not do it again,” Reeve said, adding he told the man that Amanda Elementary School on Oxford State Road as well as the retirement facility were placed on alert after the shots were heard.
UPDATE @ 11:01 a.m.
Employees outside Garden Manor heard what they thought was gunfire, which caused this morning’s lockdown, according to Steve Schreck, administrator of the facility.
The facility initiated its emergency disaster plan, locking some of the doors to limit access to the building. After being told by the police there was no threat, the doors were unlocked.
“During these times you can’t be too cautious,” Schreck said.
INITAL REPORT:
Middletown police are on the scene of retirement community this morning after shots were reportedly fired behind the facility on Hamilton-Middletown Road (Route 4).
Sgt. David Birk said residents at Garden Manor are safe after going into lockdown. The facility was also searched.
“We think someone was target practicing in the wood line,” Birk said.
Officers are still searching areas along Oxford State Road.
