Central Islip man arrested after firing rifle to stop fight, cops say

A Central Islip man was arrested early Monday after he fired a rifle into the ground in an effort to stop three women from fighting in his driveway, police said.

Suffolk County police said the incident occurred at 195 Leaf Ave. at 12:11 a.m.

Arrested was Harry Turner, 30, a resident of the home, who police said was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree reckless endangerment. There were no injuries.

Police said the three women were fighting in the driveway of the home when Turner came out with a rifle -- and fired one shot into the ground.

The women then fled, police said, one calling 911 to report the incident.

Arraignment details were not immediately available.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”