BENTON — State troopers responded to the area of Unity Road in Benton on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m. following reports of a man walking down the road and recklessly firing a pistol, including toward homes.
Maine State Police officers detained Joseph Costa, 32, who was found to be in possession of a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being taken into custody and charged with 12 counts of aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm and one count of discharging a firearm near a dwelling.
There were no injuries and the threat was over as of 12:30 p.m., said Shannon Moss, public information officer for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
Costa is being held at Kennebec County jail, where he was denied bail and awaits his initial court appearance. He is currently unhoused, Moss said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Maine State Police.
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