Man arrested on shooting charges in Waterville

WATERVILLE, PA — A 69-year-old man was arrested June 18, 2026, after allegedly firing a rifle toward people walking on a nearby trail.

David M. Helminiak, of Waterville, faces two counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of possessing instruments of crime and one count of disorderly conduct.

Lycoming Regional Police Department officers responded to the 200 block of Second Street in Cummings Township after receiving a report that a man was firing a rifle in the direction of individuals walking on the nearby Rails to Trails.

The reporting party told police he, his girlfriend and their dog were walking along the trail when they heard multiple rounds being fired in their direction.

The victims reported hearing bullets pass by them and strike the area within a few feet of their location.

They estimated that approximately six rounds were fired while they were on the trail.

After moving to a safe location, the victims observed the shooter reloading a magazine and continuing to fire additional rounds in the direction of the trail from the area of 147 Third Street.

During the investigation, officers observed a .22 Magnum rifle leaning against the handrail of Helminiak’s porch.

The rifle contained a loaded magazine, and the bolt was locked in the open position.

Helminiak admitted to firing the rifle toward a target in front of the trail but stated that he did not believe anyone would be using the trail at the time.

Helminiak was taken into custody without incident.

He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge William Solomon and committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.