A 48-year-old Elk City man is being held in the Beckham County Detention Center on a $7,500 bond after being charged with possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.
The investigation began at approximately 7:12 am on October 3rd when the Elk City Police Department received numerous reports of multiple gunshots being heard in the area of Fairview Village.
ECPD officers responded to the area in an attempt to locate witnesses in an effort to pinpoint the location that shots were fired.
The reporting officer arrived in the area a short time later and observed an elderly man walking his dog near 9th Street and Lusk. The officer asked the man if he had heard gunshots, and the man said that he was awakened in his apartment near 10th Street and Lusk, to the sound of the gunshots.
The man didn’t know exactly which direction the gunshots had come from, but said that they were somewhere nearby.
The officer wrote that it should be noted that the railroad tracks are approximately one block from the man’s apartment on 10th Street and Lusk.
At short time later, the officer heard a fellow ECPD officer advise that she would be out with a “suspicious person” near 7th Street and Pioneer Road.
The reporting officer arrived at the second ECPD officer’s location a short time later and observed that the officer was reportedly searching the backpack of David Mahan.
“I am aware that David Mahan is a homeless person that lives in a camp by the railroad tracks and often comes into Elk City. I am also aware that David Mahan has a history of carrying weapons such as knives, axes, and swords while walking around Elk City. David Mahan is known to utilize the railroad tracks and streets, and alleys to travel throughout the city,” the reporting officer wrote.
As the reporting officer approached the second ECPD officer and Mahan, he wrote that he overheard the second officer ask the ECPD dispatchers to run a handgun serial number to check if it was stolen.
Mahan was not in handcuffs or arrested at this point.
The reporting officer wrote that he asked Mahan where he obtained the gun.
Mahan allegedly stated that he found it in a dumpster.
The officer asked Mahan when he found the gun.
Mahan allegedly advised that he found it approximately one month prior.
The two officers reportedly found that the gun was loaded.
The officers also discovered that Mahan is a convicted felon.
The reporting officer asked Mahan if he was a felon, and Mahan reportedly stated that he is.
Mahan was then placed under arrest for the new felony charge.
