Mt. Pleasant man jailed after shooting handgun, driving lawn tractor while DUI, police say

A Mt. Pleasant man who allegedly fired a handgun outside his home after an argument with his wife and then rode a lawn tractor down Main Street while displaying the gun surrendered Wednesday to borough police.

David T. Howland, 32, was arraigned Thursday on 23 criminal counts including driving under the influence, reckless endangerment, illegal possession of prescription pills, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct filed by police.

Officer Justin James said police were called to Howland’s residence on South Shupe Street just after 2 p.m. for a report of a man acting erratically, tossing pieces of wood on the street and firing a handgun.

A 5-year-old relative of Howland’s met James at the home and said Howland “was just out here shooting a gun.”

Howland’s wife told police that she and her husband had been arguing but denied hearing a gunshot and said he was no longer there.

Police then began receiving reports that Howland was driving a Craftsman lawn tractor several blocks away “waving a handgun” and “swerving all over the road” along Main Street and Center Avenue.

As police responded to that call, officers received another report that Howland returned to Shupe Street, went to a neighbor’s home and began arguing with a woman there. Police from multiple departments surrounded the area. James reported Howland “twice began reaching for his handgun” that was tucked into his pants, but he eventually surrendered and was handcufed at 5:30 p.m.

Police seized multiple pain and anxiety pills and hyperactivity medication from Howland’s pockets.

Police recovered a .40 caliber handgun and two spent shell casings at the scene.

District Judge Charles Moore ordered Howland held in the county jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled July 29.