LAWRENCE CO. – A Bloomington teen was arrested on Wednesday, March 12, after allegedly pointing a firearm at another motorist on State Road 37 in Lawrence County.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Lawrence County Police Department Officer Anthony G. Pope, Gavin M. Burton, 19, of Bloomington, faces charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon (Level 5 Felony) and criminal recklessness with a firearm (Level 6 Felony).
The incident was reported at approximately 2:45 p.m. when Lawrence County Dispatch received a 911 call from a female driver. She noted a male had pointed a firearm at her while she was driving northbound on State Road 37. Dispatch alerted Lawrence County units to be on the lookout for a black or blue Saturn SUV, possibly with the license plate number.
Officers used Flock cameras to track the suspect vehicle, which, through footage, helped identify it as a 2014 gray Subaru Forester.
Monroe County Dispatch later informed Lawrence County Dispatch that they had the suspect in custody and would be transporting him to the Lawrence-Monroe County line for a transfer. Officers detained Gavin Burton, and a search of his vehicle revealed a black Glock Model 17 pistol located between the center console and passenger seat. The firearm was seized as evidence.
Officer Pope contacted the female driver, who reported that while driving on State Road 37 near Apple Acres, a male subject passed her vehicle, flipped her off, and then pulled out a firearm. She was unsure if the firearm was pointed directly at her, but saw him chamber a round. She described the firearm as black. She told police the suspect was in a hurry and sped past her. The female was driving a Ford Ranger at the time of the incident. A male witness in the woman’s car described the firearm as a black semi-automatic handgun.
After being read his Miranda rights, Burton initially denied any involvement in weapons. However, after further questioning and observing signs of deception, Officer Pope re-approached Burton, who then admitted that he had lied.
In his revised statement, Burton stated that the truck swerved in front of him as he attempted to pass the Ford Ranger. He admitted to becoming angry, briefly holding the firearm at the lower part of the window while charging it, and then placing it back in its holster before flipping them off. Burton claimed the gun was pointed at the dashboard of his vehicle, not at the occupants of the Ford Ranger.
Following his statements, Gavin Burton was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
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