City police arrested Baltimore Examiner editor Frank Keegan early Thursday morning after a neighbor, complaining of cigarette smoke, accused Keegan of pointing a shotgun at him.

Keegan, 58, of Baltimore, is charged with misdemeanor second-degree assault and gun violations against neighbors David and Christine Ayers and their 3-year-old daughter, who, according to the police report, was being carried by her father as he confronted Keegan.

At 11:29 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to Keegan’s Federal Hill residence. Ayers told police he is involved in an “ongoing dispute” with Keegan regarding cigarette smoke “seeping” through to his home from the Keegan residence and causing respiratory problems for his daughter, Sophie.

Ayers attempted to confront his neighbor about the smoke by “pounding” on Keegan’s door, according to police. From inside the house, Ayers said he heard Keegan yell, “You [expletive] lunatics, get away from my door.”

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Ayers, holding his daughter, shouted back at Keegan, “Look what you’re doing to my daughter,” according to police charging documents.

Ayers claims Keegan “racked” a shotgun while inside his house — a charge Keegan disputes — whereupon Ayers told police he said, “Whoa, whoa” and backed away from the house.

When interviewed by police, Keegan initially made no mention of a shotgun. Upon further questioning, however, he led officers to a shotgun and pistol, both of which were confiscated. The police report indicated that there was no round in the chamber of the shotgun.

The police report also shows that Keegan remained inside his residence, behind closed doors, during the dispute.

Keegan’s bail was set at $75,000 at Baltimore’s Central Booking and Intake Facility, and he was expected to be released Thursday evening.

“This case is simply a misunderstanding between neighbors,” said Charles Curlett, Keegan’s attorney. “Mr. Keegan is innocent of all charges against him, and he looks forward to resolving these issues.”

Michael Beatty, publisher of The Baltimore Examiner, indicated he had reviewed the police report and said, “Like every citizen, Frank Keegan should be afforded the presumption of innocence as the judicial process moves forward.”

“Frank Keegan is a valued and experienced editor of The Baltimore Examiner; we stand behind him, and his employment will not be affected unless warranted by future events or findings,” Beatty added.

lbroadwater@baltimoreexaminer.com

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com