Man accused of firing shots toward people

The Elyria Police Department has arrested a man it says fired shots toward people on Middle Avenue.

The Elyria Police Department has arrested a man it says fired shots last week toward people on Middle Avenue.

Authorities charged Donte C. Griffin, 28, of Elyria, with discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited area, possessing a weapon while under disability, and two counts of tampering with evidence, all third-degree felonies, according to Elyria Police Capt. Chris Costantino.

The incident occurred at about midnight April 13, on the 1800 block of Middle Avenue, when Griffin, who was in a silver Chevrolet Malibu, got into an argument with two individuals and fired shots their way but missed, Costantino said.

Griffin left the scene in the vehicle, but was arrested at noon April 24, by Elyria Police, Costantino said.

The tampering charges are based on the fact that Griffin disposed of the gun and sold the vehicle he was in during the incident, according to the captain.

“Our detectives did a great job in piecing this together and getting this man in custody,” Costantino said.

“There was a good-sized crowd of people there that could have been hit, fortunately no one was hurt.”

Griffin is in Lorain County Jail and must appear on May 2 before Elyria Municipal Court Judge Robert C. White.

Griffin