Portsmouth Police arrest man for firing gun in workplace area

A local man was arrested Sunday after an incident involving the firing of a gun.

According to Detective Lieutenant Michael C. Arnold of the Portsmouth Police Department, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Officers were dispatched to 1678 East Main Road, the Tradesman Center, for a report of an intoxicated male party who was in possession of a firearm.

Officers responding to the scene were told that the male party, who was later identified as John Eirich of Portsmouth, was sending messages and video to a female of himself firing a handgun in a work place area. Upon the Officers arrival, they made contact with Eirich who was cooperative with them. However, Eirich displayed signs of obvious intoxication.

During further investigation, Officers found spent 9mm casings along with a bullet fragment embedded into the floor of the building. Also confiscated was a 9mm handgun believed to be the weapon that had been discharged. Eirich was taken into custody and charged with firing in a compact area and possession of a firearm while intoxicated. Eirich was later arraigned by the Justice of the Peace and released. Officers also seized several other firearms that belonged to Eirich as a result of this investigation.