American Bar fracas involves handguns

By Philip Stake
Staff writer

GALLUP — Gallup Police arrested Jacob Antone, 18, of Gallup, Saturday after he fled a brawl outside the American Bar concealing a loaded .22-caliber pistol. A second man who was seen waving a firearm, and who witnesses said held the barrel of the gun to a man’s forehead, remains at large.

According to police reports, when officers arrived at the downtown walkway Saturday at approximately 6:30 p.m., witnesses reported a fight in which “several individuals” jumped a female. The fight started inside the 221 West Coal Ave. bar then continued outside, according to police reports.

Then a young man described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, chubby and wearing a blue shirt and jeans pulled a gun from his waistband and put it in the face of the man attempting to mediate.

“Go ahead and shoot me,” the victim said, according to police reports, which indicate that the victim was drunk.

At this point in the standoff the suspect wavered; the victim advanced; then the suspect retreated and ran toward the old post office on Second Street, according to reports obtained from interviews with the victim.

Antone, allegedly part of the group who fled on foot, was found walking at Second and Hill streets. Police arrested him on charges of concealing a deadly weapon and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.