Police: Ashland man fired shots in attic, sent family, neighbors fleeing
ASHLAND – An Ashland man is in Schuylkill County Prison after a stand-off early Sunday morning.
Damien Zimnicki, of 539 Walnut Street, was arraigned today on charges of Simple Assault, Aggravated Assault, Discharge of a Firearm, Persons not to possess firearms, and reckless endangerment.
Police said in their criminal complaint that they were called to Zimnicki’s home just before 1:00am for reports of shots fired.
Zimnicki’s brother told the Schuylkill County Communications Center that Damien was under the influence of drugs and had fired two pistol shots in the attic. During the call, the dispatcher heard a third.
The caller, his mother, and two neighbors fled from their homes as a result.
Officer Richard Haraschak met with the caller who relayed the same information, adding that Zimnicki was firing at random things in the residence and had been acting out all day.
Zimnicki came downstairs to shut the front door and refused to speak to police.
For about two hours, Zimnicki stayed in the residence until, around 3:00am, he came out and surrendered. Police found a loaded black 9mm firearm on the kitchen table, and four shell casings and four bullet holes in the attic.
The bullet holes were fired into a neighboring home at 537 Walnut Street.
Zimnicki was arraigned today by Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker and committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 straight cash bail.
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