Redding man arrested after allegedly brandishing replica handgun
Photo: Redding Police Department
A Redding man has been arrested after allegedly brandishing a realistic replica firearm in public, police say.
Officers responded on the afternoon of August 16 to the Goodwill Store on Hilltop Drive, where multiple people reported seeing a man waving what appeared to be a handgun at businesses, vehicles, and shoppers.
The subject had also reportedly briefly entered one of the businesses before returning to his vehicle and driving around the parking lot, continuing to wave the gun at people out the driver’s side window.
Responding officers located the subject, identified as 57-year-old Michael Pine Brierly, whom they say pointed the suspected gun at them before surrendering peacefully. After taking Brierly into custody, officers found that the “gun” was, in fact, merely a lighter designed to look like one.
Brierly was booked at the Shasta County Jail on suspicion of brandishing a replica firearm.
