Bristol Police Charge Pistol Shooter

A Bristol man, 60, has been charged with shooting a handgun toward a target in his backyard that sits not far from a child-care center and restaurant.

Steven B. Esposito, of 186 Mt. Hope Ave., was arrested on Nov. 21 around 1:45 pm. He admitted to firing a dozen rounds from a 9-mm semi-automatic pistol at a target set up against a half-barrel filled with dirt that was backed up by a piece of particle board backed up by a piece of steel.

Esposito fired the gun from a metal folding chair in his garage that was estimated at 10 to 15 feet from the target, according to Bristol police. Officers counted 15 holes in the target.

The child-care center, Storyland Preschools, was occupied at the time of the shooting, according to the police. Its location was described in the police report as “just beyond the back of his target along with Tweets restaurant.” 

Esposito said he was unaware of the nearby preschool and restaurant, according to the police report.

Police found 15 shell casings in the garage. Esposito said he was test firing the pistol after getting it back for repairs made because of repeated malfunctions while shooting.

Police also seized another semi-automatic pistol and revolver found in a gun case. All the firearms were unloaded and placed back in the gun case, according to the police report.

Esposito was arraigned at the police station by a bail commissioner and released on $1,000 personal recognizance. He will face the charge -- firing a weapon in a compact area -- in Sixth District Court next Wednesday, Dec. 4.