Drunken Man Fires Gun Near Elementary School, Police Say

A 53-year-old Menomonee Falls man was charged with one misdemeanor after he shot his gun in his backyard, which was less than 200 feet from Shady Lane Elementary School.

Greg Groh allegedly told police he fired his 9 mm pistol to blow off some steam, but he also blew a 0.35 after taking a breath test at his home.

According to the criminal complaint:

At roughly 1:30 p.m. April 8, which was a Monday, a resident called police to report shots fired near Shady Lane and Roosevelt Drive. The woman said she heard Groh fire three shots, and saw him run quickly back into his home on W17000 block of Roosevelt Drive.

When police arrived, Groh didn’t seem to know what the problem was.

“What’s all this about again?” Groh allegedly asked police.

He admitted to firing his weapon into the ground to “blow off steam,” but was also highly intoxicated. A breath test indicated his blood-alcohol level was more than four times the legal limit.

After finishing another breath test at the police station, Groh vomited in the bathroom.

After finishing in the bathroom, he told police he fired about 13 to 16 rounds into the ground. He also said he’d done the same thing on other occasions. He said he remains sober while shooting guns at Fletcher’s, but purchased a 30-pack of beer the afternoon he was arrested.

Groh faces one misdemeanor charge for possessing a firearm while intoxicated. He could be imprisoned up to nine months and fined up to $10,000. 

While police were at his home Groh did say, "That wasn't very smart."