A 32-year-old Arlington man was arrested and charged last week after becoming angry with a loud party and firing a handgun into the air, according to information police released Monday.

Patrick John Kelley was charged Wednesday night with brandishing a firearm and reckless handling of a firearm. He was released on Thanksgiving on a $3,500 secured bond, according to the Arlington County Sheriff's Office.

Kelley lives in an apartment in the 3000 block of South Randolph Street not far from Shirlington Village, according to police. The apartment complex features a courtyard shared by various buildings.

At 10:34 p.m. Wednesday, Kelley became irritated with loud noise from a nearby party, police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said.

"That doesn't mean you go out and start firing guns if you don't approve of a party," Sternbeck said. "He took the wrong steps."

Sternbeck did not know approximately how many people were at the party. The noise, he said, was generally music and people talking.

Sternbeck said Kelley was drunk when he approached people at the party to tell them he was irritated by the noise. Soon after, he started filming them, Sternbeck said. People noticed.

Kelley told officers that four men started walking toward him. He told police he felt threatened and began backing up. He fell down, at which point he pulled out a .40-caliber handgun, Sternbeck said.

Kelley fired a single shot into the air — not at anyone — which caused people to scatter, Sternbeck said.

He then placed the gun on the ground and waited for police to arrive.

"He fired it. You can't discharge a firearm in the county," Sternbeck said.

Arlington County is in the process of updating its noise ordinance, though elected officials have not approved any formal revisions.