Cleveland police officer accused of threatening to shoot people in Akron bar

AKRON, Ohio (TCD) -- A 26-year-old officer with the Cleveland Police Department was arrested Friday morning after he allegedly threatened to shoot patrons at a bar in the Akron's Highland Square neighborhood.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports officers responded to a call at Ray’s Pub on the 800 block of West Market Street at approximately 1:20 a.m. Friday. The suspect, who was identified as Sean Bannerman, reportedly said out loud he would shoot everyone in the bar. Bannerman allegedly showed off a gun he was carrying in his waistband.

Bannerman reportedly left Ray’s Pub before police got there. Bargoers, however, described Bannerman and his car to the officers. WKYC-TV reports officers conducted a traffic stop near West Market Street and Portage Path.

WOIO-TV, citing an Akron Police Department report, says officers pulled Bannerman over and discovered a loaded gun on him. They also reportedly found his Cleveland Police Department ID in one of his pockets. According to WKYC, the gun was reportedly his service weapon.

Cleveland.com reports Bannerman was hired by the department in November 2020. Sergeant Jennifer Ciaccia told Cleveland.com Bannerman will be on unpaid leave for the time being.

Summit County Jail records show Bannerman was taken into custody on charges of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm in liquid permit premises, aggravated menacing, and using a weapon while intoxicated.

His bond is reportedly set at $5,000. The Cleveland Police Department has not yet commented publicly about the arrest.

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