Drunk Nipomo man fired gun, then passed out, authorities say

Published: February 6, 2012 

Correction: Based on information from the Sheriff's Office, an earlier version of this story said the incident happened in rural Arroyo Grande. It actually happened in Nipomo.

A Nipomo man was arrested Friday night after allegedly shooting a gun and then passing out drunk.

Around 10:50 p.m., deputies responded to reports of shots fired in Nipomo, according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. They found a man unresponsive in the roadway on Viva Way and North Mesa Road near the Trilogy housing area with a .22 caliber rifle next to him and a 12-gauge shotgun on a sling underneath him. Expended shells were found nearby.

The man, identified as 24-year-old Mitchell David Rowles, had no signs of trauma. He was taken to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, where he was diagnosed as being under the influence of alcohol, and treated and released, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Rowles was arrested on suspicion of felony negligent discharge of a firearm. As of this morning, Rowles was still in custody at San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.

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