NORTH AUGUSTA — A North Augusta man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly pointing and presenting a gun at three people, refusing to listen to an officer's commands, grabbing an officer's body armor and trying to pull a gun on an officer.
North Augusta Public Safety officers arrested Franshaun David Henderson, 39, on May 13 according to an Aiken County detention center booking report.
Officers were called around 4:15 p.m. to the area of West Hugh Street and Marion Avenue, Officer H. Smoak reported.
Three people said they saw Henderson, and he had pulled a gun out of his pocket and pointed it at center of their windshield, Officer T. McGee added.
Smoak said he arrived in the area, located Henderson and ordered him at gunpoint to get down. Smoak said he could see the outline of a gun in Henderson's pocket.
Henderson "disregarded my commands and began to walk toward me," Smoak continued.
"While still at gunpoint, [Henderson] raised his arm and walked around my open driver's door…," Smoak continued. "[Henderson] grabbed the collar of my body armor and clinched with me, drawing me close as he attempted to draw a pistol from the right pocket of his sweatpants."
Smoak said he grappled with Henderson to keep his hands away from the pistol.
"I pleaded with [Henderson] not to grab his weapon in an attempt to deescalate and avoid a potential deadly use of force and [an] officer involved shooting," Smoak continued.
Smoak said he used a palm-heel strike to create space before Henderson approached again. Smoak said he used a modified Russian tie position to prevent Henderson from getting his weapon and an arm-bar take down to get Henderson to the ground.
Two officers arrived and secured the weapon and Henderson.
Henderson received injuries to his head and face; he was checked and released by Aiken County EMS.
Officers found a baggie containing 1.3 grams of a substance believed to be crack cocaine; 20 grams of a leafy, green substance believed to be marijuana; and determined the gun to be a Smith and Wesson 9 millimeter in Henderson's possession, McGee added.
Henderson was observed to be "grossly intoxicated," and was arrested near a park, McGee added.
Henderson was found to have multiple prior felony convictions, McGee added.
Henderson has been charged with three counts of pointing and presenting a firearm, resisting arrest with a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct, possessing drugs near a school or playground, distribution of cocaine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawfully carrying a weapon, aggravated breach of peace and first-degree assault and battery.
Pointing and presenting a firearm at another person is a felony. It is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine in the discretion of the court.
Resisting arrest with a deadly weapon is a felony punishable by between two and 10 years in prison. At least six months must be served in prison.
Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail.
Possessing drugs near a school or playground is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Cocaine distribution is a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Being a felon in possession of a firearm is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Unlawfully carrying a weapon and aggravated breach of peace are misdemeanors.
First-degree assault and battery is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Bonds have been set for the marijuana possession and disorderly conduct charges. Those bonds are $615 and 257.50.
Henderson remains in the Aiken County detention center.