Man arrested for firing a gun

A Big Coppitt Key man was arrested Sunday, charged with firing a gun at a couple after an argument.

Deputy Lazaro Valdes responded to a residence on 4^th Street at 4:20 p.m. to reports of shots fired. When he arrived, he met with two victims who told him 30 year old Derek Pierce fired a gun at them. They said they were at Pierce’s house and argued with Pierce over money. They were leaving in their vehicle when they heard a gunshot. When they looked to see where it was coming from, Pierce was pointing a gun at them.

They fled in their car and called the Sheriff’s Office for help.

When Deputy Valdes arrived, he found Pierce still on the scene. Pierce denied having a handgun, but gave the deputy permission to search his house for a weapon. Instead of a weapon, the deputy found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in plain view in Pierce’s bedroom. Pierce finally told the deputy the handgun in question was in the armoire in the living room.

The gun was recovered. Pierce said he discharged it accidentally. He was arrested. He was charged with discharging a firearm in public, aggravated assault and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was booked into jail.