Pistol and Brass Knuckles Found Taped to Rock as Silver Lake Reservoir Drops
A Staten Island fisherman found a pistol and brass knuckles taped to a rock at Silver Lake Reservoir after water levels fell more than eight feet, officials said; the items were turned over to local police for investigation.
Key takeaways
- Discovery: Chris Sammon found a taped package containing a pistol and brass knuckles exposed by the reservoir’s lowered waterline.
- Police action: Sammon handed the items to officers; initial impressions differed on whether the gun was a race-starting pistol or a Ruger-style .38.
- Context: The reservoir’s volume fell about 8.5 feet as refilling paused for conservation, revealing debris and potential evidence.
- Sources: Reporting compiled from local outlets and Times Media Service; see the IJR report and follow-up from UNILAD.
Discovery at the newly exposed shoreline
What Sammon found: Lifelong Staten Island resident and avid fisherman Chris Sammon went to Silver Lake Reservoir in August after hearing the waterline had dropped. Expecting ordinary debris, he instead discovered a “suspicious bundle” wrapped in what he described as “a mile of tape.” Inside, items were tightly taped to a rock: a pistol and brass knuckles.
“I would’ve kept the brass knuckles,”
Sammon later told the Staten Island Advance — a quote that captured both the oddity and the potential danger of the find. Sammon gave the wrapped package to an on-scene police officer instead of retaining it.
What police and experts told reporters
Officers who processed the scene said their initial assessment was that the gun might be a race-starting pistol, a nonlethal device commonly used to signal the beginning of races. A former NYPD gun squad detective quoted in coverage suggested the weapon resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun. As of the most recent public reports, officials had not released results of any ballistics or forensic testing, nor announced arrests or confirmed links to specific crimes.
The larger story: receding water uncovers secrets
Silver Lake Reservoir is largely ornamental within New York City’s system. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection paused refilling the reservoir for conservation reasons, and data show the volume fell from roughly 361.5 million gallons to about 239.5 million gallons by mid-December — an effective drop of about 8.5 feet from capacity. That exposed shoreline has revealed a mix of discarded phones, golf balls, piping and other debris — and in this instance, something potentially linked to criminal activity.
Why the identity and condition of the weapon matter
If the pistol is operational, it could tie to an old case or an unreported crime. If inert (a race-starting gun), the find still raises questions about intent and disposal. Detectives will look for serial numbers, ballistic markings, fingerprints or trace DNA; water exposure and tape can complicate forensic work, so testing and reporting often take time.
Receding reservoirs and public safety
City officials have warned residents to stay back from exposed shoreline areas for safety and to avoid disturbing potential evidence. Exposed lakebeds may contain uneven terrain, unstable surfaces and hazardous items. Parks and police departments advise reporting suspicious finds and not moving or handling unknown objects — precisely what Sammon did by turning the package over to officers.
Public curiosity and the ethics of taking items
The find has drawn online interest and local chatter. Law enforcement discourages souvenir-taking: even seemingly harmless items can be important evidence. Sammon’s remark that he “would’ve kept the brass knuckles” highlights a common impulse, but experts emphasize responsible action — report, document, and let authorities handle potential evidence.
Implications for San Diego and other jurisdictions
Though the pistol discovery is a local New York story, it illustrates broader concerns for cities like San Diego: when water-management decisions change shorelines, newly exposed land can reveal hazardous or illicit items. Municipal agencies should consider increased patrols, cleanup budgets, signage, fencing and coordination with law enforcement when reservoirs fall.
Practical steps suggested:
- Increase signage and barriers when water levels drop.
- Coordinate rapid-response plans between parks and police for suspicious finds.
- Budget for hazardous-material removal and support forensic processing when necessary.
- Run public-education campaigns urging residents to report — not handle — unknown objects.
Reporting and sources
This story draws on reporting by Times Media Service and local outlets. For the initial report and related details, see the initial IJR report and follow-up coverage at UNILAD. At the time of reporting, no public updates had been released about forensic results or links to active investigations.
Sources: IJR report; UNILAD follow-up. (Reporting compiled from Times Media Service and local outlets.)
