A Palmerton man has been charged after he allegedly fired a gunshot following a dispute over fireworks being set off.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Brian Stern of the Palmerton Borough Police Department:

At 9:42 p.m. July 4, Stern was dispatched to the 1000 block of Princeton Avenue for a report of shots fired.

Dispatch stated that gunman was heavy set with glasses in a black Monte Carlo right outside the residence.

Upon arrival, Stern was met by officers Tim Kromer and Dane O’Brien and saw a group of people on the porch of the residence and a male sitting with a female by the vehicle.

The group of people on the porch told police that the male, later identified as Christopher Skelton, 40, had walked up to the house a short time ago and complained about fireworks, and that a verbal altercation took place and Skelton left.

A short time later, a black Monte Carlo sped up the street and stopped in front of the house, at which time they said Skelton started yelling at them and exited the car, at which time one of the males approached Skelton and a physical altercation took place.

The group said Skelton brandished a handgun waiving it around and then fired a shot in their general direction, and that after the shot, Skelton told the one male, “I will blow your brains out.”

Skelton told Stern that he walked to the house to speak to the homeowners about the fireworks, and they got into a verbal argument and he left.

Skelton said he went by the house again in his car and someone at the house yelled at him, at which time he stopped the car and one of the males approached, reached in, shoved him, and hit his vehicle.

Skelton then exited his car and the male punched him in the face, at which time the other males jumped him and he fired a shot in the air.

Skelton faces charges of aggravated assault; terroristic threats; simple assault; recklessly endangering another person; harassment by physical contact and disorderly conduct.

He remains free in lieu of $25,000 unsecured bail, and is scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton.