He opened fire in a Dayton neighborhood, now he’s going to prison

A 49-year-old Dayton man is on his way to prison for 78 months for his role in shooting up a city neighborhood in 2018.

Bruce Long was sentenced in federal court Wednesday afternoon for possessing a firearm after having been convicted of felony offenses, according to the office of David M. DeVillers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

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Dayton Police Department dispatchers received multiple complaints the evening of Sept. 27, 2018, about gunfire in the area of Anna and Second streets, according to court documents. Eyewitnesses saw Long firing a rifle toward an individual near Anna Street. Police also discovered shell casings at the shooting location.

Shortly thereafter, officers encountered Long at his nearby residence and arrested him.

While executing a search warrant at his home, police discovered 12 firearms -- including a stolen firearm and a rifle with a large-capacity magazine.

Long has six felony convictions involving drugs, guns or violence.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

The Justice Department reinvigorated the program in 2017 as part of the department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Long was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice.