Two York County men are facing firearms charges after allegedly firing a pistol from a car and hitting a house with a bullet in Hollis early Friday morning.

York County Deputies Kevin Collins and Heath Mains were at the Lil Mart Store on Plains Road in Hollis around 12:30 a.m. when they heard several gunshots coming from the direction of Waterboro Road. While trying to pinpoint where the gunshots came from, the deputies saw a car driving toward them from the direction of the gunshot sounds, said Sheriff Bill King.

The car stopped at the store and the driver and passenger both went inside. Suspecting the men may have been involved with the gunshots, the deputies stopped them to talk as the came out of the store. King said the deputies determined both men had been drinking.

Both men declined to answer the deputies’ questions and denied knowing anything about the gunshots, King said.

Chad Palmer

The driver of the car, 23-year-old Chad Palmer of Buxton, failed a field sobriety check and was uncooperative during this arrest for operating under the influence, police said. During a routine inventory search of the car, deputies found several loose 9 mm rounds of ammunition and two boxes of 9 mm caliber ammunition scattered on the floor of the car.

Deputies also found a Glock pistol tucked between the passenger seat and center console, King said. A search of the passenger, 29-year-old Mark O’Brien of Hollis, turned up a magazine containing six 9 mm rounds and two loose rounds in his front pocket.

The deputies searched the area and found shell casings identical to the make and caliber of the ones found on O’Brien and in the vehicle, King said. The casings were found on Deerwander Road, Mansion Road and on Waterboro Road several hundred yards from the Lil Mart. They also found what appeared to be a bullet hole in the siding of a home on Deerwander Road.

Mark O’Brien

O’Brien was charged with aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm, a Class B crime. He was booked at York County Jail and bail was set at $500 cash.

Palmer was charged with operating under the influence and aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm. His bail was set at $300 for each charge.

Both men are expected to be arraigned later Friday via video link from York County Jail.