A Big Lake man faces a felony charge after allegedly firing a rifle within city limits while bullets reportedly passed near a person on the lake.

Mark Waskosky, 58, was charged May 4 in Sherburne County District Court with reckless discharge of a firearm within a municipality, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.

Big Lake Police Officers responded the evening of May 1 to reports of gunfire at a residence in the 100 block of Lagoon Avenue.

A peace officer who was on the lake at the time reported hearing gunshots and seeing bullets flying by him.

?Based on his training and experience, the officer believed the shots came from a .22-caliber rifle.

When officers contacted Waskosky outside the residence, they observed signs of intoxication, court documents state.

Waskosky initially denied firing a gun but acknowledged owning a .22-caliber rifle, telling officers it had been locked away and unused for a long time.

However, officers reported seeing a .22-caliber rifle in plain view.

?Waskosky later admitted to handling and pointing the rifle but denied firing it.