Two Opelousas men were arrested Thursday for allegedly firing guns into the air.

According to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, patrol deputies responded to a residence on Gullino Street in Opelousas regarding a missing child.  Guidroz said while deputies were handling the complaint, gunshots were heard coming from outside of the mobile home.  

He said responding deputies went outside to determine where the bullets were coming from, and found a male wearing a white t-shirt and orange shorts exiting a trailer who then began firing a weapon in the air.   

“The deputy drew his weapon engaging the male with verbal commands to drop the weapon.  The male subject ran back into the trailer slamming the door.  The deputy took cover and could hear the occupants running back and forth the length of the trailer and observed the lights inside being turned off and on several times,” according to Guidroz. 

A short while later 24 year old Giraud Hawkins exited the trailer and was ordered to drop to the ground at gun point, Guidroz said.  Hawkins then responded that “he was only shooting at snakes in the yard”.

When back up officers arrived, additional occupants were removed from the trailer and one of the occupants was identified as 24 year old Jalen Pullard, according to Guidroz.

Pullard reportedly stated to detectives that he thought he did nothing wrong by shooting in the air. 

Both men were arrested and charged with illegal use of weapons with a bond set at $2500.  Additionally, deputies located a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-auto and several fired casing from the property.