AK-15 Fired From Apartment Balcony By Stafford Man: Sheriff’s Office

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A 39-year-old Stafford man, who admitted to firing his AK-15 from the balcony of his apartment on Friday morning, is facing multiple weapons charges, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s deputies responded around 8:18 a.m. to numerous calls about shots being fired “really fast” at a Cynthias Place apartment building, according to the incident report.

As a deputy spoke to one of the callers at the scene, he overheard a man inside an apartment saying he would shoot the police if they arrived. With reports of numerous shots being fired and a potential threat made against law enforcement, residents were asked to remain inside so that deputies could resolve the situation peacefully, according to the sheriff’s office.

Through their investigation, deputies identified the suspect as Sokha Chhim. They also learned that Chhim had numerous firearms in the apartment and that there was a child currently in the apartment, authorities say.

After talking to Chhim, the Crisis Intervention Team were able to convince him to surrender peacefully, according to the sheriff’s office. As one of the deputies removed the unharmed child from the apartment, Chhim was taken into custody.

Searching the apartment, deputies recovered three spent rifle cartridge cases and found three empty cans of alcoholic beverages on the balcony, according to the report. Three loaded rifles were also discovered in the living room.

Investigators determined that Chhim was intoxicated. He told deputies that he had shot his AK-15 from the balcony because he believed someone was following him, according to the sheriff’s office. No injuries were reported.

SCSO charged Chhim with discharging a firearm in an occupied building, reckless handling of a firearm, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was then taken to the Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was held without bond.

Chhim is scheduled to have an initial hearing on March 5 in Stafford General District Court, according to court records.