photo by: Journal-World File Photo

In this file photo from Aug. 4, 2020, a Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured outside the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

Lawrence police have responded to a spate of gunfire calls in recent days, including an incident in which a Lawrence man was arrested for allegedly shooting a gun toward officers.

The man, Austin Charles Taber, 40, was arrested after 11 p.m. Sunday when police were dispatched to the 2600 block of Cranley Court. Officers saw an individual firing shots outside a residence, including a shot in the direction of the officers, according to an email from police spokesman Lt. David Ernst. The officers were able to resolve the incident without returning fire, Ernst said. Taber was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault on a police officer and criminal use of a weapon, according to the Douglas County Jail booking log. He is being held on a bond of $50,000.

Lawrence police also responded to two other firearm-related calls on Sunday.

Around 2 a.m., police responded to the 3300 block of Sassafras Drive to reports of gunshots in the area. Officers couldn’t find any evidence of gun activity but returned around 4 p.m. and found two cars and a residence that had damage consistent with being struck by a bullet, Ernst said. No arrests have been made, and the incident is under investigation.

Another report of multiple gunshots occurred at an apartment building later Sunday morning. Officers responded around 4 a.m. to the 4100 block of West 24th Place. Witnesses there pointed police toward a suspect who was allegedly waiving a gun in the air. The suspect ran when police attempted to make contact, but was apprehended after a short pursuit on foot. Officers found multiple shell casings and property in the area that appeared to have been damaged by bullets, Ernst said. The suspect was released pending further investigation.

Another gun-related incident occurred Monday, when around 7:45 p.m. officers responded to a disturbance with weapons at 100 Rock Chalk Drive, near Sports Pavilion Lawrence.

A report indicated that a person had been battered by one suspect while another suspect pointed a firearm at the person. The incident reportedly occurred after an argument during a pick-up basketball game, and the suspects left before police arrived, Ernst said. The incident is still under investigation.