Driver accused of pointing gun at off-duty officer

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – A driver was arrested after he allegedly pointed a gun at an off-duty officer, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Howard Anderson, 19, was arrested on the charge of pointing a firearm at another.

On June 12, officers with the St. Joseph County Police Department were called for a report of someone pointing a firearm at another person.

At the scene, officers learned there had been a party that included younger individuals.

At some point, Anderson and his brother, Cedric McBride, who was also arrested on a charge of pointing a firearm at another, were asked to leave, according to reports.

Anderson and McBride got into Anderson’s vehicle and began doing “donuts” in the front yard, reports said.

An off-duty Goshen Police officer was at the home helping the homeowners with the party. When he saw the vehicle doing donuts, he approached it to stop it.

Anderson was the driver of the vehicle, reports said.

The off-duty officer told other officers that McBride then pointed a rifle at him, according to reports.

When he pushed away the rifle McBride had, Anderson allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the off-duty officer.

Anderson then ran into the woods, leaving the vehicle behind, reports said.

Officers spoke with McBride, who admitted to pointing the rifle at the off-duty officer, according to police.

McBride said he didn’t see Anderson point a handgun at the off-duty officer but said Anderson does have a handgun, according to reports.

He also said Anderson owned the vehicle they were in, police reports.

Witnesses at the party said they didn’t see the interaction between Anderson and the off-duty officer but they did see Anderson run into the woods, according to reports.

Anderson was arrested on Monday.

UPDATE: On August 31, Anderson pleaded guilty to pointing a firearm. He was sentenced to four days in jail with credit for 2 days. He was sentenced to time served.

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