Deputies: Man under the influence fires shot into million gallon water tower, causes leak

DUNEDIN - A Dunedin man is charged with criminal mischief after shooting a water tower holding a million gallons of water early Tuesday morning.

Deputies say 49-year-old Mark Fitzgerald was under the influence while riding around Dunedin Country Club Golf Course, firing shots at 3:44 a.m.

After numerous calls describing gun fire, deputies headed to the course, located at 1050 Palm Boulevard, and spotted a golf cart.

They stopped the vehicle and found a high powered rifle (.380 caliber) and a 45 caliber handgun on Fitzgerald.

Deputies say the suspect also showed signs of impairment. Fitzgerald told deputies he was searching for his lost dog and had weapons with him incase he ran into coyotes.

Officials learned the suspect fired multiple rounds, including a bullet that hit a City of Dunedin water tower, located just south of Curlew Road and east of Alternate 19.

The tower, which holds a million gallons of water, is draining out of the hole caused from the gunfire.

The city of Dunedin is working to get the damages to the water tower repaired.

In addition to felony criminal mischief, Fitzgerald is charged with discharging a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence.

He was taken to Pinellas County Jail.