A Bethany man faces multiple charges after police said he pointed a gun at someone in a New Haven parking lot.
New Haven police said they responded to the Ikea parking lot off Brewery Street around 6 p.m. Wednesday on reports of a vehicle crash. Witnesses reported the driver of the offending pickup truck had a gun and was pointing it at people in the parking lot. While police were responding to the first call, another motorist reported the same pickup truck struck his vehicle and pointed a gun at him.
According to police, when they arrived the suspect, Donald Long, 66, was walking away. Police said they asked him to stop and raise his arms but he placed his hands in his pockets. When officers prompted again he complied, according to police.
Witnesses reported to police that Long struck an Audi on Brewery Street near the entry to the Ikea parking lot. When the passenger of that vehicle got out to pursue Long, Long pointed a gun at him, police said. Long kept driving and crashed into a white Range Rover. Police said witnesses reported Long continued to point the gun at the passenger and threatened to fire.
Police said Long appeared intoxicated and was wearing an empty gun holster on his waist. Long told police he put the gun in his vehicle to avoid any problems and that he was a registered gun owner. Police said Long admitted he’d consumed “several shots of bourbon.”
Officers handcuffed Long and searched his truck, where they found eight firearms, including a loaded Sig Sauer P238 .380 caliber handgun, and various ammunition. All but one of the guns were registered to Long, according to police. The pickup truck’s registration was expired, police said.
Police said Long claimed a medical condition prevented him from taking a field sobriety test. He was taken away by ambulance and submitted to a blood alcohol test at the hospital.
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He was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree breach of peace, interfering with police, carrying a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, DUI, evading responsibility, first-degree threatening and reckless driving. He could face additional charges depending on the results of the blood test.
No one was injured in the incident.
