Andrew Rothman
Member
http://www.middletownpress.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14902489&BRD=1645&PAG=461&dept_id=10856&rfi=6
This looks like nothing more than standard "arrest the gun" behavior on the part of the police.
If that "elongated flashlight" is what I think it was -- a Mag light with three, four or five D-cell batteries -- it WAS a freakin' club.
If a guy followed me off of the highway in broad daylight, started yelling at me, and brandished a big-ass club of a flashlight (in broad daylight, remember -- sunset was still more than two hours away ), I think I'd make sure my gun was ready, too.
No one implied that the permit holder pointed the gun at the jerk with the flashlight, although the big black flashlight was "waved."
It sure looks to me like the permit holder was a victim of road rage and took reasonable, non-provocative steps to end the threat.
Cops seize gun shown by driver
By JEFF MILL, Middletown (Connecticut) Press Staff
07/22/2005
CROMWELL -- A driver was arrested Wednesday evening after he allegedly brandished a 9 mm handgun at another driver who had followed him off Route 9 to complain about his driving.
However, the suspect told police he only drew the gun for his own protection when the other driver waved a long black object that he took to be "a bat or a club." In fact, the object turned out to be an elongated flashlight.
Police said the incident began on Route 9 shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, when a driver later identified as Scott A. Morris, 34, of 125 Bailey Road, Middletown, apparently took exception to the driving skills of Brian D. Shea, 31, of 28 Pardee St., Bristol.
When Shea exited Route 9 at exit 19, Morris followed him off, police said, and pulled alongside him to remonstrate with Shea about his driving -- even though Morris had his 3-year-old son in the car at the time.
During the course of the "discussion," Morris allegedly showed a long black object. In turn, Shea told police, he removed a Czech-made CZ-75D compact semiautomatic 9 mm handgun from his glove compartment and placed it in his lap.
However, in so doing, Shea not only allowed Morris to see the gun, but Shea also cocked it in full view of Morris. That, police said, caused Morris to break off the conversation.
He turned right onto Route 372, and then made an abrupt left onto Route 3, all while attempting to call police on his cellular telephone to report the incident.
Meanwhile, police said if Shea was not in pursuit, he at least was following Morris intently.
At the intersection of Route 524, both men turned right -- and happened upon Officer Joseph DiMauro, who was on routine patrol.
Morris and Shea both pulled over behind DiMauro and Morris got out to report the incident to the officer.
After listening to both versions, DiMauro decided to arrest Shea, who was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree threatening. He was subsequently released on $5,000 bond for an Aug. 2 appearance in Middlesex Superior Court.
Police said they have confiscated Shea’s handgun and will be in touch with the state Department of Public Safety and will request that the department revoke his permit to carry the gun because of what they say was his "unsafe handling" of the weapon.
To contact Jeff Mill, call (860)347-3331 ext. 221 or email [email protected].
This looks like nothing more than standard "arrest the gun" behavior on the part of the police.
If that "elongated flashlight" is what I think it was -- a Mag light with three, four or five D-cell batteries -- it WAS a freakin' club.
If a guy followed me off of the highway in broad daylight, started yelling at me, and brandished a big-ass club of a flashlight (in broad daylight, remember -- sunset was still more than two hours away ), I think I'd make sure my gun was ready, too.
No one implied that the permit holder pointed the gun at the jerk with the flashlight, although the big black flashlight was "waved."
It sure looks to me like the permit holder was a victim of road rage and took reasonable, non-provocative steps to end the threat.