WATERVILLE —Police arrested a Waterville man early Saturday morning after he allegedly fired gunshots into the air, in the middle of the downtown.
Gregory Markey, 46, posted $1,500 in unsecured bail on a felony charge of reckless conduct.

Four Waterville police surrounded Markey’s apartment building at 111 Main Street, after a witness heard gunshots and said he saw Markey pointing his 9-milimeter, semi-automatic handgun into air the around shortly before 4 a.m.

Chief Deputy Charles Rumsey said that police were able to obtain Markey’s cell phone number, and, after securing the scene, Sgt. Daniel Ames called him about two hours later. Markey came down from the apartment and police arrested him, Rumsey said.

Chief Joseph Massey said that his officers were able to defuse a potentially dangerous situation. Massey said he was close to calling out State Police.

“It would have meant evacuation of the building and closing down Main Street at 6 a.m.,” Massey said. “We were very near calling a tactical team, but because traffic was still light, we were at a critical juncture.”

Police were able to secure the gun in Markey’s apartment following Markey’s interview at the police station with Detective Dan Goss, Rumsey said.