Man with illegal gun arrested during homecoming event in Cumberland County

A 22-year-old man concealing an illegally modified handgun was among approximately twelve arrests made by Pennsylvania State Police during Shippensburg’s homecoming event last weekend, according to a news release.

Officers patrolling the district heard multiple gunshots near South Penn Street and Dykeman Road around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 19. When state police arrived at the area, two men wearing hoodies fled, according to the release.

One of the suspects, later identified as Evan Sipes, 22, of Shippensburg, was arrested after a chase, police said. Officers searched Sipes and found a handgun with the serial number “defaced” and several magazines, according to the police report.

Sipes also resisted officers during his arrest and attempted to escape after being taken into custody, police said. The other man who fled the area was not arrested or identified.

Sipes, charged with possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, carrying a firearm without a license, resisting arrest and evading arrest, waived his preliminary hearing and will be arraigned Dec. 30. court documents saying.

State Police made 12 other arrests over Homecoming weekend, including an illegally possessed gun seized during a traffic stop, three drug arrests, three underage drinking arrests, three ID arrests false, a crime of harassment and a case of public drunkenness.

None of the incidents during Homecoming Weekend occurred at Shippensburg University or involved Shippensburg students, a Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson said.

Additional police officers were stationed throughout Shippensburg during homecoming weekend due to the increase in pedestrian traffic.