GULFPORT, Fla. (WFLA) – A Gulfport man is now facing several charges after police say he posted a video to social media of him holding an AR-15 style pistol, pointing it at cars.
According to the Gulfport Police Department, 20 year old Ter’on Jerome Forrester posted a public video to Snapchat on June 26 of him holding the weapon with a scope attached and extended magazine inserted and pointing it at a busy roadway and parking lot.
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In the video, police say you could see two fully marked GPD cars parked and multiple vehicles drive by, including a PSTA bus that passes through the barrel and scopes line of sight.
The police department says the video was taken from Forrester’s backyard.
Gulfport detectives, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, arrested Forrester. The 20-year-old was issued a Risk Protection Order, which is designed to enhance public safety by restricting firearm and ammunition possession by a person who poses a danger to himself/herself or others.
“Law enforcement dawns a badge, comes out here every day to do what they need to do and you never know what you’re going to encounter. This is a perfect example of that. They are there doing their jobs and attempting to investigate another incident that’s not related to this case and unbeknownst to them there is a gun pointed at them. It’s a loaded gun,” Gulfport Police Department Sgt. Thomas Woodman told 8 On Your Side.
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Police say the firearm used in the video did not belong to Forrester, however, he did have access to it and was purchased legally.
He has been charged with written threats to kill or conduct a mass shooting and is currently being held in the Pinellas County Jail with a $10,000 bond.