Police warn against celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve

ATLANTA — As New Year’s Eve approaches, so does the threat of celebratory gunfire.

Police warn that the shots can end up killing someone.

“Once that bullet leaves and goes up in the air, it has to come down,” Atlanta police Officer Lukasz Sajdak said.

In 2009, a stray bullet killed 4-year-old Marquel Peters while he sat in a DeKalb County church on New Year's Eve.

“I lost my child and there’s no kind of closure to it, so I would not like this to happen to anybody anymore,” Marquel’s mother, Nathalee Peters, said.

Police said if you hear celebratory gunfire, take cover and call 911.

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If you are caught firing into the air, you could be fined and charged.

“You could be charged with a misdemeanor and fines up to $1,000,” Sajdak said.

Police plead for people to think of the safety of others this New Year.

“Think not only safety for yourself, but of others around you, and think of other people’s property as well,” Sajdak said.

Police said celebratory gunfire also happens on the Fourth of July, but New Year’s Eve is worse.

Cox Media Group