Bowling Green Police arrested a Whitehouse man Thursday (9/17) who allegedly threatened another man with a gun in a downtown bar.
Police responded to the bar in the 100 block of North Main Street around 2 a.m., after a bar patron reported seeing a man loading a handgun in the restroom. The man, Wesson Hesselbein, 19, allegedly waved the gun in the patron’s face and said he would kill him if he told anyone about the gun. He also reportedly pointed the gun at the back of his own friend’s head as he used a urinal.
The bar staff reportedly kicked Hesselbein out of the business and called police.
An officer on patrol reportedly spotted a man matching Hesselbein’s description on Clay Street. When the officer ordered him to get on the ground, Hesselbein allegedly quickly reached behind his back with both hands into his waistband. The officer drew his service pistol and told Hesselbein to not reach into his pants, to show his hands and get onto his stomach. He complied and no gun was found on him.
Police reported that Hesselbein denied having a gun or threatening anyone. Officers noted that he had two fictitious Michigan ID cards, had slurred speech and glassy eyes.
Downtown camera footage reportedly showed Hesselbein getting into a car in a city parking lot, and appearing to place something under the passenger seat. After securing a search warrant, officers located a handgun matching the description, with a loaded magazine with 14 rounds next to it in the car.
Hesselbein was arrested for aggravated menacing, underage and under the influence, prohibited acts, carrying concealed weapon, possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premise, having a weapon while intoxicated and improper handling of a firearm. He was taken to Wood County Jail.
