A Lehigh County man was jailed on April 27 following a shooting incident and chase.

State police at Bethlehem said at 3:57 p.m. troopers were advised of a shooting outside a residence located in the 5400 block of Mauser Street in North Whitehall Township. A white Pontiac G6 sedan was connected to the incident.

While en route to the scene troopers spotted the Pontiac fleeing and began a pursuit. The Pontiac fled at a high rate of speed.

As the car was traveling southbound on Route 145 the driver lost control. The car spun and crossed over the northbound lane and came to rest in the lawn of the Whitehall Township Municipal Complex.

The driver, Christopher Joseph Melton, 20, of Allentown, ran but was taken into custody by troopers and officers of the Whitehall Township police department. Inside the vehicle troopers found a .38 special revolver, with an obliterated serial number, which contained one live round and five discharged casings.

An investigation revealed that Melton and four other people arrived at the victim’s residence and confronted both the homeowner and his son with the intention to retrieve personal items that belonged to the driver’s friend. A confrontation ensued and the back seat passenger, Melton, fired gunshots from the rear driver’s side window while the victim and his son were outside the residence.

As the Pontiac fled the scene the driver stopped the vehicle and he switched seats with Melton, who then drove the vehicle.

Melton was arraigned before a district judge on two counts of aggravated assault and one count each of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a firearm prohibited, firearms not to be carried without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of a firearm with manufacturers number altered and summary offenses of driving without a license, careless driving reckless driving.

Melton was unable to post the $100,000 straight cash bail and was committed to the county prison in Allentown.