By Patti Weaver
STILLWATER — A Stillwater man accused of firing a handgun from the patio of his second-floor apartment at an occupied swimming pool and neighboring apartments has been acquitted of the felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison but convicted of reckless conduct with a firearm.
The jury, which deliberated for 72 minutes on April 30, recommended that Joshua Lee Bradley, 26, be given the maximum penalty for the lesser included misdemeanor — six months in jail and a $500 fine, court records show. It also convicted Bradley of carrying a firearm while under the influence of liquor and recommended a two-month jail term and a $500 fine.
Bradley remains free on $5,000 bond pending his June 3 sentencing on both misdemeanor counts before Payne County Associate District Judge Michael Kulling.
Police had been sent to the apartment complex on N. Perkins Road at 1:28 am on July 4, 2022, on a report of shots fired, Stillwater Police Officer Jeremiah Johnson wrote in an affidavit.
“Suspect was firing towards the south at the complex office building, the complex swimming pool, and another occupied neighboring apartment building,” the affidavit alleged.
“At least two bystanders were also in the pool at the time of the gunfire,” the affidavit alleged.
After numerous spent shell casings were found on Bradley’s patio, officers forced entry into his apartment for a security sweep and possible gunshot victims, the affidavit alleged. Several live rounds of ammunition were seen on the floor as well as drug paraphernalia, the affidavit alleged.
“Suspect was given a pat search for weapons and was found to be in possession of several spent shell casings and numerous live rounds of ammunition,” the affidavit alleged.
Bradley had extremely slow, lethargic movements, heavily slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol, the affidavit alleged.
After a search warrant was served on Bradley’s apartment, “a handgun, live ammunition and drug paraphernalia were seized,” the affidavit alleged.
