MAGEC officers find underground shooting range in Calwa

Officers from the Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium found an underground shooting range in Calwa, just south of Fresno, as they served several search warrants on Thursday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.

MAGEC officers found a hole dug into the backyard of a property along the 3800 block of East Laurite Avenue, where people were using guns for target shooting, sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.

The hole was covered by heavy blankets and mattresses to prevent the sounds of gunfire from escaping the underground range, Botti said. Neighbors had reported hearing gunfire in the past but thought it was just from airsoft guns.

Botti said one person was arrested at the house for alleged drug possession and being a felon in possession of a gun.

No other details were available immediately.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 8:10 PM with the headline "MAGEC officers find underground shooting range in Calwa."