Cops: Coram woman fired rifle from her balcony for 'recreational purposes'

The 26-year-old Coram woman arrested after shooting a high-powered rifle off her balcony at an apartment complex Monday evening has a young child -- and told police she was shooting into a wooded area "for recreational purposes."

Suffolk County police said the woman, identified as Suzanne Pesola, of 405 B Dunston Place, fired "multiple shots" from a .9-millimeter High Point carbine rifle from the balcony of her residence at the Brookwood Village Apartments.

Pesola was arrested at 6:53 p.m., police said. No one was injured. Police did not say how many rounds were fired.

Police said Pesola, charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal contempt, was taken to a hospital for observation. She faces arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip at a date to be determined.

Police said Pesola has a child, but said it was not immediately clear if the case has been referred to Child Protective Services for investigation. It also was not clear if the child was in the apartment when the incident took place.

Police said two rifles and ammunition were recovered at the scene, but did not release information on the second weapon. No property was damaged by gunfire, police said.

Police said the investigation into the incident is continuing and Sixth Squad detectives are asking anyone with information to call them at 631-854-8652. All calls will remain confidential, police said.

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.”