Springfield man arrested after firing gun in Snapchat video | Local News – WICS

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP)— A Springfield man was arrested after police say he posted a Snapchat video showing himself firing a handgun into the air in a residential neighborhood on the Fourth of July. According to the Springfield Police Department, officers were called around 1:02 p.m. July 4 to the 1100 block of North 19th Street after a woman reported concerns about a Snapchat video. Police said the video showed 24-year-old Ronald W. Mercer Jr. firing a black handgun into the air in front of his face and pointing an AR-style rifle toward the camera. Investigators said Mercer also referenced an address in the 900 block of North Edmond Street and challenged an unidentified person to come there. Officers obtained a copy of the video through an evidence submission request before going to the North Edmond Street address to speak with Mercer. According to police, Mercer admitted to firing the handgun shown in the Snapchat video at the residence. He was taken into custody, advised of his Miranda rights and declined to speak further with investigators. A LEADS inquiry showed Mercer did not have a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card, police said. Investigators said the firearm was discharged into the
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