Armed Florida security guard arrested for pointing gun at child
Pensacola FL Sept 21 2019
A Pensacola man was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at a child and threatened to shoot the boy and himself.
James Forrester, 27, was arrested Friday and booked into the Escambia County Jail. He is charged with child cruelty and aggravated assault.
According to his arrest report, Forrester was driving two children to school Sept. 9 when the incident occurred.
A boy told authorities that Forrester picked up a gun from the passenger seat and pointed it at him because the child was “having an attitude,” according to the report.
The child told investigators Forrester then said to him, “Why don’t I just shoot you, and then I’ll shoot myself,” the report states.
The second child in the vehicle corroborated the story.
The report notes that Forrester is employed as an armed security guard and had access to a firearm, the report stated.
When confronted about the incident before law enforcement arrived, Forrester reportedly apologized and said he needed counseling, the report states.
When Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies went to arrest Forrester, he walked outside, placed his hands behind his back and told deputies he knew why they were there, the report states.
He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond. County records indicated that as of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in custody.
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