Receding Silver Lake Reservoir Exposes Tape-Wrapped Pistol, Brass Knuckles in Staten Island — Resident Finds Package After Water Drops 8.5 Feet
A Staten Island fisherman discovered a pistol and brass knuckles taped to a rock in Silver Lake Reservoir this August after water levels fell about 8.5 feet, exposing the shoreline; he reported the package to police.
- What happened: A taped package containing a pistol and brass knuckles was found on the newly exposed shoreline at Silver Lake Reservoir after the water level fell roughly 8.5 feet.
- Who found it: Lifelong Staten Island resident and avid fisherman Chris Sammon discovered the bundle and notified officers.
- Official observations: Responding officers first thought it resembled a race-starting gun; a former NYPD gun squad detective later suggested it looked like a Ruger .38-caliber handgun.
- Reservoir context: The NYC Department of Environmental Protection paused refilling Silver Lake for conservation, leaving the reservoir well below capacity and exposing debris.
Discovery at the exposed shoreline
Chris Sammon went to Silver Lake Park after hearing about the receding shoreline expecting to find bottles or trash. Instead, he saw a tightly wrapped bundle near a rock — described by Sammon as wrapped with “a mile of tape.” He initially feared it might be remains or something tied to a crime. Sammon notified a nearby police officer and handed the items over to authorities.
What officers and experts observed
Officers on scene initially thought the object might be a race-starting gun, a signaling device sometimes used at track events. Later, a former NYPD gun squad detective reviewed images or descriptions and said it more closely resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun. The brass knuckles were taped to the same rock with the firearm. Sammon said he would have kept the brass knuckles but turned both items over to police.
“I thought it might be a pet’s remains or something connected to a crime,” Sammon told investigators, according to reporting.
Why the reservoir is low and what it exposed
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) halted refilling of Silver Lake as part of conservation and management decisions, leaving the reservoir at a fraction of capacity and exposing rocks, pipes, old phones, golf balls and other debris. As of Dec. 17 the reservoir held 239.5 million gallons, down from 361.5 million gallons in October and well under its 400-million-gallon capacity.
Public safety and official warnings
DEP officials have urged the public to stay out of off-limits areas around Silver Lake due to unstable and hazardous exposed shorelines. The recovery of possible weapons adds investigative and safety concerns. Officials have not publicly detailed whether the firearm will be tested for fingerprints, ballistic markings, or linked to any unsolved crimes.
Context: Receding reservoirs and unusual finds
When reservoirs recede, previously submerged human-made objects can resurface. Reporting on the incident notes exposed lakebeds can yield everything from innocuous trash to potentially serious evidence. At present there is no public indication the Staten Island weapons discovery is tied to an active criminal case.
Follow-up and limitations in reporting
Available news coverage centers on Sammon’s account and the DEP’s water-level statements. There are no public updates on police processing of the pistol and brass knuckles or matches to any known crimes. Separate items online reference Sammon in other contexts but do not add details about this specific find.
Why local residents went into the exposed area
Neighbors and hobbyists visited Silver Lake to explore the newly exposed bed, searching for relics or lost items. Curiosity, social media attention, and the temptation to cross fences or ignore posted warnings have raised safety and liability concerns for the city.
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic: Receding reservoirs can create cleanup costs and require police and public works resources if hazardous items are exposed.
Political: Management decisions that alter reservoir levels can spark scrutiny and demand clearer public communication.
Social and cultural: Exposed beds attract curious residents and may prompt outreach on water conservation, public safety and stewardship.
Practical applications for residents
Treat exposed reservoir beds as hazardous. Do not cross fences or ignore warnings. If you find a suspicious package or weapon, leave it untouched and call local police. Sammon’s decision to report the find and hand it to officers is a recommended model for safe response.
Sources and further reading
Investigative notes
Reporting basis: This article relies on accounts centered on Chris Sammon and public DEP statements. There has been no publicly released forensic analysis tying the pistol or brass knuckles to any specific crime. The descriptions of the object as a “race-starting gun” and a later suggestion it resembled a Ruger .38-caliber handgun reflect differing initial observations in reporting.
