Maine Man Arrested For Allegedly Firing Gun Towards Homes In Benton

Authorities say they are relieved that no one was injured after an incident Tuesday morning where a transient man allegedly fired a gun, recklessly, towards homes in Benton.

The Maine Department of Public Safety says 911 dispatchers received several calls, a little before noontime Tuesday, describing a man in the area of Unity Road firing a gun in a residential setting.

"Troopers quickly located the individual and safely detained him without incident. The man, identified as 32-year-old Joseph Costa, who is currently unhoused, was found to be in possession of a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Costa was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. He was later transported to the Kennebec County Jail and charged with 12 counts of aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm and one count of discharging a firearm near a dwelling."

Authorities say Costa was denied bail and his being held in jail until he appears before a judge.

Maine State Police Trooper Tyler Nadeau is working the case and is investigating the shootings. If anyone was in that same area on Tuesday and saw what happened, they are urged to reach out to Trooper Nadeau via the Maine State Police. You can reach him by calling (207) 624-7076, or you can email him directly at Tyler.W.Nadeau@maine.gov.

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