Seattle police arrest armed man during New Year's Eve celebration
Police arrested a 21-year-old man who was allegedly armed with a shotgun, handgun and ammunition near the Space Needle during Seattle’s New Year’s Eve celebration, authorities said.
As thousands of people gathered for the annual New Year’s fireworks show, Marcos Campos Lezama allegedly walked through the area and stopped near a lawn that overlooks the Space Needle, according to court documents.
He allegedly "opened his coat, displaying a slung loaded shotgun, which had a flashlight with pressure pad, spare shotgun shell holders attached," documents said.
"Witnesses saw him holding the gun by the grip, causing alarm, while facing the area where spectators were gathering for the fireworks display," Seattle police said.
He was wearing all black, "including black Battle Dress Uniform cargo pants, and a bright red hat with white letters 'WAR,'" documents said.
Officers detained Campos Lezama and confiscated the loaded shotgun, as well as a holstered, loaded handgun and two spare loaded magazines, according to documents.
"The shotgun was loaded with 4 slugs, and he had 3 additional slugs and a round of buckshot in his possession," documents said, noting that that "combination ... is typically a planned loading technique for when a subject is anticipating to take shots with a shotgun at varying ranges ... and/or when anticipating using shotguns against people with armor or using cover."
He also allegedly had foam hearing protection with him, the documents said.
Seattle Police Department’s arson bomb squad swept his car for potential weapons or explosives, though none were found and it was determined the vehicle did not pose a threat, officials confirmed.
The suspect was arrested without incident and booked for unlawful use of weapons to intimidate another, officials said. He appeared in court on Friday and entered a not guilty plea, according to Seattle ABC affiliate KOMO.
