Child care center hit after shots fired at wood stove in anger…
[Photo: George Rackliffe being taken into custody
Updated Story, 4/14/13 at 6:30am – Hyannis News has learned from Barnstable Police Sergeant Sean Sweeney that 66-year-old George Rackliffe of 127 Patriot Way in Centerville was sitting home listening to his upstairs tenants arguing when it occured to him he could possibly put an end to their aggravating squabbling.
Rackliffe, who reportedly had been drinking alcoholic beverages, was likely not level headed when he decided it would be a good idea to un-holster his 9mm handgun and pop off multiple rounds in the direction of his wood stove. Reportedly, his belief was the metal surrounding his stove area would be more than thick enough to stop bullets.
It wasn’t.
At least three bullets pierced the metal stove backing, traveled through the outer walls of his home, crossed the yard, missed several trees, and struck the neighbor’s home at number 149 Patriot way. Two shots actually entered the residence; one slug was recovered from a staircase, the other hit a wall.
Five people were home at number 149 at the time of the shooting.
Rackliffe was subsequently arrested and charged with Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Dwelling, 3 counts of Injury to Real/ Personal Property for damaging the home next door, and 5 counts of Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon for putting his neighbors in fear.
It is still uncertain as to why a second younger man was also taken into custody.
Jason Cook of the Cape Cod Times is reporting there were a total of 8 shots fired. According to the Times story, the neighboring home is a used as a daycare; two children and three adults were on the premises at the time of the shooting.
Nobody was injured.
The child care center at 149 Patriot Way is run by Judith Eames and has a total capacity of up to 8 children according to online information. The licensee is Cape Cod Child Development Program Inc. and the earliest license issue date online is March 5, 1999. It’s part of what is known as the “Child Care Network.”
When Hyannis News arrived on scene at 5:30pm, it appeared to be a very active time of day for the child care center, although everyone remained inside. There were several cars parked in the driveway and the people inside were reportedly terrified and very cautious. A Barnstable Patrolman politely approached and asked if I would consider moving away from the front of 149 Patriot Way to avoid further alarm and worry from the individuals inside possibly wondering who I was. That’s when I moved further down the road and noticed several officers sneaking up on the residence at number 127 with weapons drawn.
Moments later officers confronted Rackliffe on the front doorsteps of his residence. [see photos and original report below…]
Also, according the Cape Cod Times report, Rackliffe ended up changing his story… he originally told police he fired because he thought there was an intruder in his home. Click here for the Cape Cod Times story.
ALSO, CLICK HERE FOR CH. 7 WHDH / HYANNIS NEWS COVERAGE OF THIS STORY…
Additional sources say Rackliffe is a former employee of the Town of Barnstable Department of Public Works… [Developing]
Hyannis News will continue to provided updates as they become available…
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Original report, 4/12/13:
Centerville – Barnstable Police responded to 149 Patriot Way today at approximately 5:30pm for what reportedly was a shooting.
According to the original units on scene, there were “shots fired.” At this point, it appears the shots came from the home at number 127 and may have hit the neighboring home at number 149 Patriot Way.
[photo: 149 Patriot Way]
Upon arrival, Hyannis News witnessed several officers approach an older male at number 127 with guns drawn. They first did a pat search of the suspect and then entered the house where they questioned him.
After about 20 minutes, a police sergeant requested an additional squad car to the scene to help transport a prisoner.
Two handcuffed males, one older, the other about 20 years younger, were then escorted from the house at number 127 Patriot Way to awaiting squad cars. Both were transported to Barnstable Police Headquarters for booking.
[photo: 127 Patriot Way]
Also note this all happened in the middle of steady heavy rain.
[Photos: Older man being frisked during heavy rain] 
A Barnstable County Identification Officer was also summoned to the scene to help with the investigation.
Updated 8:30pm : an unconfirmed source reports this may have been an accidental discharge of a weapon… Also note, neighbors were reportedly terrified…
Still developing… Hyannis News will provided updates as they become available…
4/12/13
Photos and Story by Robert Bastille, Hyannis News
