BERLIN — A Berlin man was charged with first-degree assault and other charges after allegedly firing a rifle at his brother during a domestic altercation early Monday morning.
On Monday morning, Maryland State Police troopers were dispatched to a residence on Griffin Rd. in Berlin for a reported domestic situation involving a firearm. Upon arrival, troopers learned a suspect, later identified as John Anthony Coiner, 55, of Berlin, and his brother, who also lives at the residence, had been involved in a verbal altercation.
The investigation revealed Coiner then pointed a .22 caliber long rifle in the direction of the victim and fired a single shot. The victim was not injured and called 911. The rifle was located and inside the chamber was a live round. A fired, empty .22 caliber shell casing was found on the living room floor.
Coiner was arrested without further incident and has been charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment. He was taken before a District Court Commissioner on Monday morning and held on a $50,000 bond. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office assisted the MSP in securing the scene during the incident.