Fisherman Finds Pistol and Brass Knuckles as Silver Lake Reservoir’s Falling Waterline Reveals Taped Package
A Staten Island fisherman discovered a heavily taped package exposed by Silver Lake Reservoir’s receding waterline that contained what appeared to be a pistol and brass knuckles; he turned the items over to police, prompting an investigation.
- Local angler Chris Sammon found a tape-wrapped bundle on a rock that, when opened by police, appeared to contain a pistol and brass knuckles; he immediately handed the items to officers. (IJR report; UNILAD report)
- The New York City Department of Environmental Protection carried out a drawdown of more than 8 feet for conservation work, exposing rocks and off-limits portions of the reservoir bed.
- On-scene officers speculated the gun might be a race-starting pistol; a former NYPD gun squad detective said it resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun, though police have not formally identified it.
Discovery at the exposed shoreline
Chris Sammon, a lifelong Staten Island resident and longtime fisherman, visited Silver Lake after hearing the water level had fallen. He expected the usual finds—old bottles, phones, golf balls—but instead saw a heavily taped bundle sitting on a rock near the newly exposed shore. Sammon told reporters he initially thought it might be a pet’s “water burial.” When he learned the package contained a pistol and brass knuckles he handed it to a nearby officer immediately. (IJR report; UNILAD report)
“I thought it might be a pet’s water burial,” Sammon said, describing his reaction when he first saw the tape-wrapped object.
What officials and experts said
Responding officers told reporters they initially suspected the item could be a race-starting pistol—devices that resemble small handguns and are used to signal the start of races. A former NYPD gun squad detective who reviewed photos said the weapon resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun. To date, police have not publicly released a formal identification or tied the find to any known investigation. (IJR report)
DEP drawdown and public-safety notices
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed the reservoir’s water volume fell significantly as part of conservation activity. DEP officials have warned residents to stay off the exposed lakebed, which is fenced and off-limits even when dry, and said there are no immediate plans to refill the reservoir. (IJR report)
Context: receding water reveals more than rocks
Silver Lake functions primarily as an aesthetic and utility reservoir. DEP figures reported in mid-December put the reservoir at about 239.5 million gallons on Dec. 17, down from 361.5 million gallons in October and well below its 400-million-gallon capacity. The drawdown exposed areas normally underwater and brought up phones, golf balls, household trash and bits of old infrastructure in recent weeks. (IJR report)
Investigative angles and unanswered questions
- Origin and timeframe: It’s unclear when or why the pistol and brass knuckles were placed at Silver Lake; the tape suggests intent to hide or protect them.
- Ballistics and traces: Police have not released whether the pistol will be tested for fingerprints or ballistic matches that could link it to past crimes.
- Public safety: DEP warnings reflect hazards on the exposed bed—unstable terrain, sharp debris, and potential evidence that should not be handled by the public.
Why the find matters to New Yorkers
This discovery underscores how public-infrastructure changes can reveal hidden risks or evidence. In densely populated urban areas, receding waterlines can surface items relevant to criminal investigations. Sammon’s choice to alert police, rather than keep or move the items, preserved potential forensic value and ensured safety.
How authorities handled the scene
Sammon said he contacted a police officer immediately after finding the package; officers photographed the scene and took possession of the items. Beyond that initial response, there is no public record of a continuing probe or follow-up operations tied to this particular find. The DEP reiterated restrictions on walking the exposed lakebed for safety and infrastructure reasons. (IJR report)
Receding water reveals: a broader pattern
Across the U.S., drought and conservation-related drawdowns have exposed old cars, artifacts and sometimes human remains. Such discoveries often trigger short-term law enforcement probes and highlight long-term questions about how to manage public sites that may hide evidence. Silver Lake’s exposed bed has produced a range of trash and lost items already. (IJR report)
Implications for Las Vegas, Nevada
Though this occurred in New York, the event offers lessons for Las Vegas and similar communities:
- Economic impact: Lower water levels can deter recreation and hurt businesses that rely on anglers and shoreline visitors.
- Political consequences: Officials may face scrutiny over reservoir management, access restrictions and the balance between conservation and recreation.
- Social effects: Residents near water become de facto observers; authorities should clarify how the public should report finds safely.
- Practical steps: Improve signage and barriers, create simple reporting protocols, train staff to preserve forensic integrity, and coordinate public messaging around drawdowns.
Sources and further reading
Initial report on the discovery at Silver Lake Reservoir: Initial report on the discovery at Silver Lake Reservoir
Local coverage and interview details with the fisherman: Local coverage and interview details with the fisherman
Dateline: New York, New York (Times Media Service)
