Cops: Salem man fired handgun at 3 fishermen he accused of trespassing

A 78-year-old Salem man was arrested for allegedly firing a handgun at three fishermen he accused of trespassing Thursday afternoon, according to state police at Kiski.

Arthur Sarn was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, simple assault and making terroristic threats filed by police after the incident at an undisclosed lake off of Scenic Drive, south of Route 22 near Delmont.

Trooper Jesse Newhouse alleges that Sarn, who lives on Tomer Lane, confronted the three fishermen “at a known fishing area” and complained they were trespassing.

According to Newhouse, the three anglers replied that they didn’t see any “no trespassing” signs and that Sarn did not have “proof of ownership.”

Sarn then walked to the trunk of his blue Lincoln sedan, claiming to “show you how I deal with trespassers” and retrieved a .22 caliber Ruger, Newhouse wrote in court documents.

“Sarn then pointed the handgun and discharged one round towards the victims, nearly striking them. Sarn then related, ‘Are you guys going to leave or the next shot is at your head,’ ” Newhouse reported the men told him.

Newhouse said evidence at the scene indicated the bullet came within five feet of the fishermen.

The anglers also claimed Sarn threatened to hit them with his car and kept the handgun pointed at them while they gathered their belongings to leave.

Sarn was arraigned before District Judge Chris Flanigan and released on $25,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing July 15 before Washington Township District Judge Jason Buczak.

Sarn could not be reached for comment. An attorney for him was not listed in court documents.