Charges: Man accused of pointing gun at woman outside of Jewish Community Center was likely high and suffering from PTSD

A Salt Lake City man accused of pointing a gun at a woman outside a Jewish Community Center was likely high and experiencing an episode related to post-traumatic stress disorder that day, according to recent court filings.

The 33-year-old man was charged earlier this month in 3rd District Court with felony charges of aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm, as well as misdemeanor psychotoxic abuse.

On Dec. 3, the man allegedly drove a white Mercedes wagon to the I.J. and Jeanne Wagner Jewish Community Center near the University of Utah, and pointed what was believed to be a handgun at a woman getting out of a car.

The woman later reported to police that she screamed in fear once she realized a man was pointing a gun at her, according to a recently unsealed search warrant affidavit filed in court.

“Even after yelling at him, [the woman] stated the male driver kept the handgun pointed at her,” a Salt Lake City police officer wrote, “but never spoke or made any statements whatsoever.”

After a few moments, the man lowered the gun and drove away, according to police.

A short time later, police believe the man pulled up to a vehicle near 5300 S. Cottonwood St. (300 West), and shot out the window to his own vehicle.

Later that day, the vehicle was found high-centered on a Utah Transit Authority TRAX line in Murray at 4800 South, and the man was arrested nearby.

After he was arrested, police noticed the man had gold paint on his face and hands, according to the search warrant, and appeared intoxicated. Gold paint was also smeared on the dashboard of the car.

An officer later was informed that the man had been driving with “the heat turned all the way up and inhaling the paint fumes,” according to charging documents. The man was taken to the Veterans Affairs hospital that day due to his “level of intoxication,” according to the search warrant affidavit.

Inside the Mercedes, police found a flare gun, and several expended flare cartridges, charges state.

The man’s stepfather later reported to police that the 33-year-old was a veteran who was likely experiencing a PTSD episode.

A police officer noted in the search warrant affidavit that Salt Lake City police have had previous involvement with the suspect, who on April 2016 was reported to be waving a gun in the air “in a threatening manner.” He was believed to be intoxicated on that day as well, and was not wearing any clothing. He was taken to the VA Hospital that day for treatment.

from The Salt Lake Tribune http://ift.tt/2C1b4sG