Pistol and Brass Knuckles Found Taped to Rock as Silver Lake Reservoir Drops 8+ Feet in Staten Island
A Staten Island fisherman discovered a pistol and brass knuckles tightly taped to a rock along the newly exposed shoreline of Silver Lake Reservoir after the water level fell dramatically — he reported the find to police, sparking local concern and questions.
Key takeaways
- What was found: A handgun and brass knuckles wrapped with heavy tape and attached to a rock on the exposed Silver Lake shoreline (Source).
- Who found it: Chris Sammon, a lifelong Staten Island resident and avid fisherman, who reported the items to a nearby officer (Source).
- Water-level context: DEP data show the reservoir fell from ~361.5 million gallons in October to ~239.5 million gallons by Dec. 17 — roughly an 8.5-foot drop (Source).
- Law-enforcement view: Officers initially thought it might be a starter pistol; a former NYPD detective said it resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun (Source).
Discovery and scene
On a late-summer day when rocks and debris became visible around Silver Lake Park’s shoreline, Chris Sammon was searching the newly accessible lakebed for ordinary finds — old bottles, lost phones, a stray golf ball — when he came across a heavily taped package.
“It was wrapped with a mile of tape,” Sammon told reporters. He feared the bundle might contain a decomposed animal or be tied to something criminal; after unwrapping enough to see the shape, he found a pistol and brass knuckles fastened to a rock.
Sammon handed the package to a nearby police officer and left investigators to handle the scene (Source).
The exposed shoreline that made the discovery possible
The Silver Lake Reservoir functions largely as an aesthetic feature rather than a primary supply source. When city officials paused refilling as a conservation measure, water levels dropped significantly — reported as an ~8.5-foot fall between October and mid-December — exposing areas normally underwater. Sammon described it as the lowest level he can recall (Source).
Police reaction and expert opinion
Responding officers initially suspected the firearm might be a starter pistol used at races or events — a device that resembles a real gun but fires blanks. However, a former NYPD gun squad detective who examined photos or descriptions told reporters the weapon looked more like a Ruger .38-caliber handgun, a potentially deadly firearm. At the time of reporting, no public update detailed tests, operability, or evidence processing (Source).
Why the find matters beyond curiosity
Beyond its eerie visual, the discovery raises practical safety concerns for residents and park users. Could more items be hidden where visitors cannot normally search? Was the placement an attempt to conceal evidence, dispose of a weapon, or an act of vandalism?
Unanswered questions remain because publicly available follow-up details are limited — leaving the community concerned about how often items are discarded in or near the reservoir and how thoroughly such leads are pursued (Source).
Public access, fences and warnings
City officials have repeatedly warned people to stay away from the restricted, fenced reservoir area even as the waterline receded. The exposed lakebed can be hazardous — unstable footing, abrupt drop-offs and lingering debris pose real risks.
The taped weapon underscores those warnings: when conservation or maintenance actions reveal formerly hidden areas, they can also reveal hazards or evidence of past wrongdoing.
Context on Silver Lake and water management decisions
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection paused refilling as a water conservation measure, leaving the reservoir well under its ~400-million-gallon capacity. Officials reported no immediate plans to refill it, and that administrative choice created conditions allowing access to newly exposed areas (Source).
Community reaction and local concern
Residents and park visitors reacted with a mix of curiosity and unease. Sammon said he would have liked to keep the brass knuckles as a relic, but turned the items over to police because of potential criminal connections. The episode highlights how much may lie hidden when water levels change and the need for timely, transparent follow-up from authorities (Source).
Implications for Redding, California
Economic impact: Although Redding’s reservoirs differ from NYC’s, the Staten Island discovery shows that water-management changes can expose hazards and create cleanup costs. Managers may need to budget for inspections and debris removal when levels are drawn down.
Political consequences: For conservative readers in Redding, the incident underscores the need for accountable water-management decisions and clear communication so elected leaders and water boards avoid surprise liabilities.
Social effects: Exposed shorelines revealing unexpected dangers affect families, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. Community groups could organize shoreline sweeps or reporting programs to assist police.
Practical applications: Local officials should review shoreline access policies, post clear warnings when levels change, coordinate with law enforcement for rapid responses, and run public-education campaigns advising residents to avoid restricted areas and report unusual finds.
Reporting and follow-up
At the time of reporting, no broader criminal links or additional discoveries were publicly documented. The primary account summarized here is based on local reporting by Times Media Service and the Independent Journal Review.
Readers concerned about local safety or reservoir management in Redding should contact their local water district or law-enforcement agency for the latest guidance on shoreline access, reporting procedures for suspicious items, and planned conservation actions that might lower reservoir levels.
