Beverly man arrested for allegedly shooting neighbors searching for lost cat

He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment Friday in Salem District Court. He was remanded in custody and denied bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 26, according to court records.

A court-appointed attorney representing Davis said he intends to appeal his client's detention.

“Mr. Davis has tremendous support from his family and has never had any previous involvement with police,” Patrick Conway, a Salem attorney, said in an email to the Globe.

The alleged shooting occurred around 10 p.m. when Beverly police responded to the area of ​​30 Conant Street on a report of shots fired, the report said.

When they arrived, officers encountered a man and woman who identified themselves as Davis' neighbors. They told police they had been searching for their missing cat on their property, which borders Davis' home, the report said.

“While they were searching their property for the cat,” the report states, “Davis came out onto his back porch and began shooting.”

He allegedly fired two shots in the direction of the woman and then warned her that she had “five seconds to leave his property” or he would shoot again, police wrote.

The man ran to help the woman. After speaking with the two, officers headed to Davis's residence. Davis shone a “bright flashlight” on the officers, the report said.

Police told Davis to put down the flashlight and keep his hands up. Officers found the gun, loaded with eight rounds of ammunition, in the kitchen sink inside the house, the report said.

Officers also found two 9mm shell casings in the dirt behind the back porch. Inside the house, officers seized several weapons, many of which were locked in a safe.

Davis was arrested and his permit to carry a firearm was revoked, according to court records.

Adam Sennott can be reached at [email protected].