Man arrested for pointing gun at officers
A Fredericktown man was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated assault Wednesday after he pointed a replica handgun at law enforcement officers.
William Scott Palmer, of 35 Vesta Ave., was also charged with two counts each of reckless endangerment, terroristic threats and simple assault and one count of resisting arrest following the 9:20 p.m. incident.
According to police reports, East Bethlehem Township police and Greene County deputy sheriffs drove to Palmer’s residence to serve a bench warrant.
When they arrived at the home, Deputy Sheriff Donald Pope knocked on several doors and officers ordered Palmer to open the door, police said. But Palmer, who police saw walking around inside the home, refused, the affadavit said.
As police and Deputy Sheriff Pope moved toward a kitchen window, officers saw Palmer brandish and point what looked like a black handgun at them through the open window, the affadavit said.
Police and the deputy sheriffs drew their firearms and demanded Palmer to drop a handgun, according to the affidavit.
Palmer dropped his weapon when police converged on him after breaking into the home through a sliding glass door. After police got Palmer to the ground, he attempted to get up and refused to put his arms behind his back, the affadavit said.
After he was taken into custody, police said the gun was identified as a black plastic BB gun with the orange cap removed. The handgun resembled a 1911 9mm handgun, police said.
Palmer was taken to Greene County jail on the bench warrant.
He was arraigned before District Judge Joshua Kanalis. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 11 a.m.