Police in Seattle arrested a 21-year-old man armed with a rifle and a handgun and carrying several rounds of ammunition near the Space Needle during a New Year’s Eve celebration in Seattle, authorities said.
On New Year’s Eve, at approximately 7:20 p.m., Seattle patrol officers responded to reports of a man sitting on a bench near the Pacific Science Center carrying a partially concealed rifle, according to a statement from the Seattle Police Department.
Police said: “Witnesses saw him grabbing the gun from his fist, causing panic, as he faced the area where spectators were gathering to watch the fireworks display.” “The suspect, who was wearing all black clothing and a red hat with the word WAR written on it, cooperated with police.”
Officers safely recovered the gun, and the suspect, who was also armed with a handgun, had a valid concealed carry permit, police said.
The authorities said that the police assigned to the juvenile center arrested the man without any incident.
Officials confirmed that the Seattle Police Department’s Fire Bomb Squad was able to locate the suspect’s vehicle and searched the vehicle for possible weapons or explosives, though none were found and it was determined that the vehicle did not pose a threat.
Police then booked the suspect into the King County Jail on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, and investigators reviewing the case referred criminal charges to the city attorney’s office, authorities said.
The investigation into the accident is currently ongoing.
