Several people were left injured as 38-year old Aftabjit Singh pulled out a gun during an LGBTQ pride parade in downtown Washington DC June 8, panicking hundreds of participants. The Capitol Police have arrested Singh for threatening a person with a BB gun and leading to the stampede.
As per the police, Singh took out the gun after another person purportedly threatened his "significant other.”
Police have also recovered his BB gun (a type of air gun designed to shoot metallic balls called BBs).
Three gun-related offenses pressed against Singh, who is scheduled to appear before a court, are carrying a prohibited weapon, illegal possession of a BB gun, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon (Outside Home or Place of Business). He has also been charged with “Disorderly Conduct — Cause Unreasonable Fear”.
Hundreds of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) pride parade spectators panicked and started fleeing once the word spread out that someone was carrying a gun.
NBC Washington reported that some witnesses told News4 that they heard gunshots, however, police said there was no proof of a shooting.
“Police say one concerned citizen flagged down an officer, Blaise Maio, and pointed out Singh and a brown bag under a tree. Maio saw the suspect head towards the bag and stopped him. In the partially open bag, Maio reported he saw what appeared to be a silver handgun,” the report said.
“It was later determined that the gun was not a real handgun, but an imitation pistol that Singh identified as a BB gun,” added the report.