Guns Seized From Petaluma Man Accused Of Negligent Discharge: PD

Petaluma CA

25 February, 2021

3:05 PM

Description

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm when officers were called back to the scene of an argument among family members, police said in a news release. The Petaluma Police Department received a 911 call just before 2 p.m. Tuesday from the 2200 block of Aaron Court where a man was reportedly intoxicated while handling a gun. The caller told police he and the suspect, 61-year-old Szabolcs Benedek, were involved in an argument. The caller said Benedek, while armed with a handgun, told him he needed to leave the family home. Officers had already been to the residence near Garfield Drive and East Washington Street earlier Tuesday for a family argument and left when the family members agreed to stay away from each other for the rest of the day. The caller said that when he was inside making the 911 call to request another visit from police, he heard a single gunshot. When officers returned to the home the garage door was partially open and they were able to handcuff Benedek moments later when he came out of the garage. Officers went inside to check for possible victims and found everyone safe. Fortunately, police said, the round Benedek fired was stopped by the garage door. Because Benedek owned several guns, Petaluma police obtained a search warrant and seized six firearms as well as ammunition. Police said officers suspected Benedek was heavily intoxicated and when he later voluntarily submitted to a preliminary alcohol screening test, he was found to have a BAC of .27 percent. Benedek was booked into the Sonoma County jail on suspicion of negligent discharge of a firearm, according to police. Jail records show he has since been released from custody.