Little Rock Police Lieutenant accused of firing multiple rounds into air on New Year's Day

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Lt. Michael Ford, a spokesperson for the Little Rock Police Department, has been accused of shooting multiple rounds from an AR-15 toward the sky on New Year's Day.

Early on Jan. 1, Maumelle police responded to a home on Country Club Parkway where someone reported gun shots, according to a police report. Police said that upon arrival they could hear gunshots and smell burnt gunpowder in the driveway. One officer saw multiple .233 shell casings on the back patio of the home that he believed came from an AR-15.

A witness said that he saw multiple muzzle flashes behind Ford's home and that he counted 45 to 60 rounds fired.

Ford, 40, met officers at the front door where he reportedly refused to identify himself but said that he was a Little Rock police officer. The Maumelle officers said that Ford had watery, bloodshot eyes and slow speech.

Ford denied that any shots were fired from his property and denied that there were shell casings on his back patio. He also denied owning or possessing a .233 or 5.56 rifle.

On Dec. 31, Little Rock Police warned people not to shoot into the air on their Facebook, saying "what comes up, must come down."

The police report lists Ford's offenses as Discharging a Weapon and Obstructing Governmental Operations, but it is unclear if Ford has been cited or charged. Maumelle Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.

LRPD spokesperson Eric Barnes said that the department is conducting an internal investigation but Ford has not been suspended or put on leave.