Milford man who shot squirrel had unregistered assault rifle, high-capacity magazines, cops say

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MILFORD >> A 65-year-old man faces an array of charges after shooting a squirrel in his yard Monday morning, police said in a press release.

James Toigo, 258 Housatonic Dr., was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm, cruelty to an animal, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, failure to register an assault rifle and three counts of possessing large-capacity magazines, according to a police press release from Officer Jeffrey Nielsen.

Police officers were directing traffic in the area of Housatonic Drive when they heard a gunshot nearby, according to the release.

Upon investigation, Toigo was taken into custody after police said he shot the squirrel.

Police said they also found an unregistered assault rifle, as well as three large-capacity magazines, in Toigo’s home. Both the firearms and the magazines were taken, the release said.

Nielsen said the assault riffle was not the gun Toigo shot the squirrel with.

“As the investigation progressed the officers seized several firearms from the home for safe keeping,” Nielsen said. “That included the assault rifle and the three high capacity magazine he did not have registered.”

Nielsen said he believes the majority of the seized firearms were registered. Those weapons will remain in police custody until Toigo’s case is heard, Nielsen said. Depending on the outcome, Toigo will need to petition the police department to have his guns returned.

Toigo was released on a promise to appear May 13 in court.

Editor’s Note: In an earlier version of this story, Officer Jeffrey Nielsen’s name was misspelled as Nielson. A misspelling of rifle as riffle has also been corrected.