RIFLE FIRE IN PARK

Bx. Navy ‘psycho’

A US Navy sailor used a Bronx park for target practice — opening fire with his M4 rifle in the middle of the day with a pal in tow, police said Monday.

Steven Jenkins Jr., who is on active duty, was nabbed around 2:30 p.m. Sunday after someone called 911 to report gunshots coming from Soundview Park.

The caller pointed out Jenkins (right) and his friend, Cornell Morgan, according to police.

The 25-year-old serviceman was allegedly caught toting a case containing the M4, a rifle similar to the M16 but with a shorter barrel and lighter body.

“This is my rifle,” Jenkins allegedly told cops.

Cops charged him with one count of criminal possession of a machine gun and one count each of reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.

The M4 can be utilized as a semiautomatic weapon or in three-round burst-fire mode. It is carried extensively by soldiers in all branches of the US military.

“He’s a psychopath for shooting guns in the park,” a police source said of Jenkins.

Morgan, 28, was allegedly carrying a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun and charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon. Police said he has nine prior arrests.

Both men were arraigned at Bronx Criminal Court on Monday night and released.

The south end of the park is surrounded by a number of high-rises and NYCHA buildings. Residents were stunned that someone would be brazen enough to open fire in the middle of the day.

“I’m quite surprised around here that someone would do that. We always have police patrolling around here,” said Sterling George, 57, who served in the Air Force for four years in the 1980s. “He’d be taking a big risk with people’s lives and his rank could be stripped.”

There was no answer at Jenkins’ apartment less than a mile from the park.

A Navy spokesman didn’t return messages.

Morgan’s father, Desmond, said he was “vaguely” aware of his son’s arrest.

“I’m so sorry, I’m not interested,” he responded when asked for a comment.