New Details On Air Rifle Arrest At Darien Park: UPDATE

DARIEN, CT — A 20-year-old Darien man was arrested on a charge of interfering with an officer Wednesday after Darien police apprehended him with what turned out to be an air rifle (or BB gun) in Woodland Park, according to authorities.

Peter McMaster, of Robinson Street, also received a citation charging him with violating a town ordinance because such weapons are prohibited in town parks.

The incident occurred at about noon when officers were called to the park after a witness reported there was a man with a firearm.

"As officers entered Woodland Park they observed a white male armed with a rifle," said Captain Jeremiah Marron Jr. "From a distance of approximately 30 yards, officers instructed the subject to place the rifle on the ground. The subject initially complied by placing the rifle on the ground however as officers began to approach, he abruptly again picked up the rifle and ran further into a heavily wooded area. Officers lost sight of the subject but continued to search the area. Several other officers arrived on-scene and after about 10 minutes, the subject was located in a wooded area of a Colony Road property. He was then detained but was unarmed at the time."

McMaster "remained uncooperative" after he was caught, and he refused to tell police where he discarded the rifle, according to Marron. It took police roughly an hour, with the help of a police K-9 officer, before they were able to find the weapon, which turned out to be an air rifle (or BB gun).

"During processing, McMaster told officers that he was going into the park for target practice, and he did have a paper target in his possession," Marron said.

Under Darien park rules and regulations, "no unauthorized person in any park shall use, carry or possess firearms," Marron said.

McMaster was released on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Jan. 20.