A Hartland man was arrested Monday night after he allegedly fired two gunshots into the air with a 0.45 caliber handgun during an argument with a person who used to be in a relationship with his girlfriend, according to the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office

Police arrested the man, 42-year-old Corey Eugene Swain, on charges of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, both Class C felonies, according to Sheriff Dale Lancaster.





The altercation was first reported around 5:40 p.m. Monday near Wright’s General Store on Commercial Street in Hartland.

Police initially responded to the altercation after it was reported by a witness, who told police that Swain and other people had been driving in a sport-utility-vehicle, parked the vehicle and confronted a person who was walking along Commercial Street.

The witness said that Swain fired his gun during that altercation, and police found two spent 0.45 caliber shell casings on the sidewalk at the scene, according to Lancaster.

But in a later interview with members of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Swain allegedly said that the person who was walking along Commercial Street had started the altercation that led him to fire two warning shots with his handgun.

During their investigation, police also learned that Swain’s girlfriend used to be in a relationship with the person who had been on the sidewalk, and Swain told them that person was angry he was dating her.

No one was injured in the altercation, police said.

Afterward, police brought Swain to the Somerset County Jail and set his bail at $5,000 cash, with conditions that he not use or possess firearms or dangerous weapons. His initial court appearance is scheduled for March 13.