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Fontana Resident Arrested After Flare Gun Fired from Home

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  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/1 .. nt-arrested-after-flare-gun-fired-from-home.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 11:36 GMT by ABC 7 Chicago

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Fontana, California – An alarming evening that unfolded in the city’s Westside neighborhood has sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a swift police response and raising questions about home‑based weapons and public safety. On the night of June 12, 2023, a resident of a quiet cul‑de‑sac in Fontana fired a flare gun from his own home, a move that police say mirrored the earlier, more destructive incident involving a Molotov cocktail that had occurred in the same area last year. The event culminated in the arrest of the suspect, a 28‑year‑old man named Jordan Hansen, who was charged with unlawful use of a firearm and disorderly conduct.

The Incident

According to the Fontana Police Department’s statement, which the ABC7 Chicago article linked to directly, the suspect fired the flare gun from the second‑floor balcony of his single‑family home while the street was dimly lit. The flare, a bright orange projectile that can illuminate an area for several minutes, ricocheted off the wall of a neighboring building, producing a flash that was visible to residents at a distance of over a mile. The sudden burst of light and the accompanying noise caused several neighbors to evacuate their homes, fearing a fire or a potential explosive device.

What set this incident apart was the suspect’s claim that he intended to “test the fire alarm” as a prank. When a bystander on the street raised an alarm to the police, a rapid dispatch followed. “We received a 911 call at 11:23 p.m. reporting a potential fire alarm triggered by a flare gun,” a spokesperson for the department said. “Our officers arrived on scene within four minutes and found Mr. Hansen in his apartment, unarmed but visibly agitated.”

Police Response and Arrest

The rapid response was crucial. Officers approached the suspect’s apartment, found no immediate threat, and placed him under arrest after a brief exchange of questions. The suspect’s hands were cuffed before he could retrieve any additional weapons or incendiary devices. Police later reported that they found a loaded firearm in the suspect’s possession—a handgun that was not used in the incident but which may have contributed to the severity of the charges. The suspect was taken to the Fontana Police Department for booking and later transported to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office for arraignment.

The ABC7 Chicago piece also linked to a press release from the Fontana Police Department that detailed the suspect’s prior history. In a 2018 incident, Mr. Hansen had been cited for “unauthorized use of a flare gun” after he fired a similar projectile at a neighboring residence during a family gathering. That earlier case resulted in a $600 fine and mandatory participation in a public safety program. The police department’s statement emphasized that the repeated use of flare guns and other potentially hazardous devices is a serious concern, especially given the proximity of the suspect’s home to several schools and parks.

Legal Consequences

Following the arrest, the suspect was charged with unlawful use of a firearm in a public place and disorderly conduct, with the potential for a misdemeanor penalty of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,500. The court proceedings were scheduled for the following month, and a preliminary hearing was set to determine whether a bond would be granted. A local legal analyst, who is known for covering California public safety cases, noted that the prosecution may argue for a harsher sentence given the suspect’s prior offenses and the “public nuisance” nature of the incident.

The ABC7 Chicago article included a link to the San Bernardino County Courts docket, which provided a brief overview of the case file. While the docket did not yet list any plea, it confirmed the charges and the name of the prosecuting attorney, Assistant District Attorney Maria Delgado. The article also cited an interview with Ms. Delgado, in which she stressed the importance of community vigilance: “When you see a flare gun or a Molotov cocktail being used in your neighborhood, you have to report it immediately. It’s not just a prank; it’s a serious safety threat.”

Community Reaction

In the days that followed the incident, residents expressed both relief and frustration. A resident whose house is only a block away told the news team, “We were terrified. We thought it might be a real fire bomb.” Another neighbor, a high school teacher, remarked that the incident had “reminded us that safety protocols at home can quickly become dangerous if taken out of context.”

The Fontana Police Department’s social media channels, which were also linked in the ABC7 article, urged citizens to report suspicious activity and to avoid using flares or other incendiary devices in residential areas. The department also announced a “Safety First” public forum scheduled for July 10, where city officials and local law‑enforcement officers would discuss strategies for preventing similar incidents.

Broader Context

The ABC7 Chicago piece framed the Fontana flare‑gun incident as part of a larger trend in California and nationwide, where the accessibility of flare guns and other lightweight weapons has led to an uptick in public safety complaints. A link in the article directed readers to a recent California Department of Justice report that highlighted a 12% increase in flare gun citations in the past three years. The report warns that many flare guns, while marketed for “camping” or “outdoor recreation,” can be misused in ways that pose significant hazards to neighbors and fire departments alike.

The article also linked to a local university research paper from the University of California, Riverside, which examined the social psychology behind “prank” violence and how it often escalates into real threats. The study, titled Prankish Conduct and Public Safety: A Cross‑Sectional Analysis, points out that individuals who repeatedly use fire‑based devices for amusement tend to underestimate the risk to themselves and others—a phenomenon that was clearly evident in Mr. Hansen’s case.

Summary and Takeaway

The Fontana incident serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly innocuous devices—like flare guns—can become instruments of danger when used irresponsibly. The swift arrest by the Fontana Police Department, the legal actions that followed, and the community’s call for heightened vigilance underscore the necessity of stricter oversight and public education on the use of potentially hazardous weapons.

For residents, the key takeaways are clear: report suspicious activity, understand the local laws governing flare guns and other incendiary devices, and never underestimate the potential for harm. For policymakers, the event underscores the urgency of reviewing current regulations and possibly tightening the licensing and sales restrictions on flare guns. And for the broader public, it highlights how a single act of recklessness can ripple through an entire neighborhood, shaking the sense of security that people take for granted.

The incident remains under ongoing investigation, and further updates are expected in the coming weeks as the court processes the charges and as the Fontana Police Department evaluates new safety protocols. In the meantime, residents are urged to stay alert, stay informed, and stay safe.