Violence Med For Depression 09/09/1994 Washington Veteran Pulls Gun In Social Security Office Summary:

Paragraph five reads:  "He told police he was on medication for depression and was seeking help for his condition. He said he thought the security guard was detaining him for no reason and said he didn't remember grabbing the gun."

 



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POLICE BEAT: MAN CLAIMING UNFAIR TREATMENT PULLS GUN IN SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE

The News Tribune - September 9, 1994
Author: Anthony K. Albert
A 41-year-old Tacoma man grabbed a security officer's gun Wednesday when he feared he'd be detained, Tacoma police reported.

Officers arrived about 11:30 a.m. at the Social Security office in the 3000 block of South 40th Street to find the man detained by office workers.

The man, a Vietnam veteran, had argued with a counselor, complaining of unfair treatment, police said. As a security guard approached, the man became more hostile.

The two struggled and fell on the floor. The man pulled a loaded .38-caliber revolver from the guard's belt. Other office workers helped clear people from the building and detained the man.

He told police he was on medication for depression and was seeking help for his condition. He said he thought the security guard was detaining him for no reason and said he didn't remember grabbing the gun.

He was booked into Pierce County Jail for reckless endangerment.

In other police news reported Thursday:

* A 23-year-old motorist fought with a Tacoma police officer Wednesday after being stopped for driving on the wrong side of the road and drinking a beer.

An officer patrolling in the 800 block of South Eighth Street spotted the man's truck facing in the wrong direction about 7:50 p.m. The officer said he watched the man get into the truck and take a beer can from the dashboard.

The man drove west on South Eighth Street in the left lane, then headed down an alley before the officer stopped him.

The officer asked the driver for his license, registration and proof of insurance. The driver showed a green card that expired in 1991.

He was taken into custody, but not without a fight.

The officer repeatedly asked the man to get into the patrol car while his records were checked. When the driver balked, the officer pulled him from the truck and put him in the police car.

The officer tried to handcuff the driver, who hit the policeman's hands and arms. Another officer arrived, and both handcuffed the man.

They searched his truck and found a California driver's license along with a cold beer can one-quarter full, reports showed.

The man was booked into Pierce County Jail for assault and traffic violations.

* A 21-year-old Tacoma man was robbed Wednesday when he didn't have money to give a stranger who helped fix his car, Tacoma police reported.

The man's car broke down about 10 p.m. in a parking lot at South Tacoma Way and Pacific Avenue. A short time later a man and a woman pulled up, police reported.

The man started helping the victim, pulling a battery from his car to help start the car, police said. Then the man took back the battery and four times demanded money for his help.

When the victim said he didn't have any, the man pulled the victim's hair and threatened him with a 12-inch crescent wrench.

Meanwhile, the woman grabbed the victim's $230 pool stick from his car and both fled in a 1978 Buick Riviera. Police didn't find the suspects.

* Inmate population Thursday in Pierce County Jail was 963. The jail was built to hold 628. The National Guard Armory was at capacity with 154.

(Compiled from reports made to Tacoma police.)
Edition: News Tribune-Pierce County Edition
Section: Local/State
Page: B2
Index Terms: Column, Police Beat, Crime, Guard, Social Security, Office, Firearm, Arrest, Traffic, Violation, Assault , Police, Robbery
Record Number: 940909TNT62DA
Copyright (c) 1994, 2002 The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA)
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POLICE BEAT: MAN CLAIMING UNFAIR TREATMENT PULLS GUN IN SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE