A man waving around what looked like a rifle while screaming threats at people in an Oregon grocery store parking lot was arrested Friday afternoon, only for cops to realize the “weapon” was a massive bong.
“The object he was carrying turned out to be a bong in the shape of a semi-auto rifle,” police said, according to KEZI 9 News.
Cops initially received calls that the 47-year-old suspect, Jacob John Daniels, was stalking the parking lot of an Albertson’s and a Bimart Membership Discount Stores at 12:21 p.m., threatening to kill people and motioning with what was initially believed to be a long gun, according to police and reports.
The Eugene Police Department responded in full force, flooding the scene with patrol officers, the Drone Team and a Bearcat armored vehicle. Eugene Springfield Fire teams also staged nearby.
Residents were told to shelter in place and police warned motorists to avoid the area.
After cops arrived, they approached Daniels and demanded he drop the weapon.
“At one point, he sat on a curb and was cooperative, putting the object down, but then he refused commands to move away from it,” Eugene police said.
Officers then fired off a “sponge round” to neutralize Daniels without serious injury, according to KMTR.
“Officers deployed 40mm less lethal when he got up and started walking toward the object,” police and reports said.
They then arrested the faux gunman and retrieved the bong.
After he was in custody, Daniels told investigators that he staged the stunt as a ploy to kill himself, telling investigators that he wanted to be shot, KEZI reported.
Police charged Daniels with disorderly conduct.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
