A Carbon County man who was charged with allegedly firing a gunshot following a dispute over fireworks being set off, was placed on probation Thursday in the county court after entering a guilty plea to one count of terroristic threats.

Christopher Skelton, 42, of Palmerton, was placed on probation for a year by Judge Joseph J. Matika for an incident on July 4, 2020, in Palmerton.

In imposing the sentence, Matika told Skelton, “Don’t fight fireworks with a firearm.”

The threats charge was reduced from a felony 3 to a misdemeanor 1. Also, in exchange for the plea the district attorney’s office agreed to drop a felony 2 count of aggravated assault - attempt to cause serious bodily injury and three other charges.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by patrolman Brian Stern:

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 the gunman was heavyset 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 man sitting with a woman by the vehicle.

The group of people on the porch told police that the man, later identified as Skelton, had walked up to the house a short time ago and complained about fireworks, and that an argument 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, waving it around and then fired a shot in their general direction, and that after the shot, Skelton told the one man, “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. He stopped the car and one of the men approached, reached in, shoved him, and hit his vehicle.

Skelton then exited his car and the man punched him in the face. Then the others jumped him and he fired a shot in the air.

Skelton’s attorney, Arley L. Kemmerer, said her client has no prior record. She noted he went on trial in June 2021 on a charge of harassment and was found not guilty.

Matika also ordered Skelton to attend and successfully complete an anger management course, render 50 hours of community service, have no contact with the people involved in the incident, pay court costs of over $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation.