An evening at a downtown Clermont bar ended in the arrest of a 33-year-old man after he allegedly brandished a loaded firearm while heavily intoxicated and made threatening gestures toward staff members.
On Thursday, July 9, Clermont Police Department officers responded to the 750 block of W Montrose Street following reports of an intoxicated man, later identified as Michael Benjamin Parrish, who reportedly had a firearm in his possession, according to the agency.
Upon arrival, officers quickly located Parrish and observed that he was “heavily intoxicated,” according to CPD. The police department added that Parrish “briefly resisted” the officers before he was taken into custody without further incident.
An investigation reportedly revealed that Parrish had entered a nearby bar, where he allegedly became intoxicated and began causing a disturbance. Witnesses told police that Parrish yelled at staff members while actively displaying a firearm and making threatening statements and gestures.
During a pat-down search of Parrish, officers allegedly recovered a loaded Glock handgun.
Parrish was placed under arrest and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of improper exhibition of a firearm, and possession of a firearm while committing a third-degree felony.
Additionally, Parrish is being charged with using a firearm while under the influence, carrying a concealed firearm in the prohibited portion of an alcoholic beverage establishment, disorderly intoxication, and resisting an officer without violence.
In a social media post, Clermont police commended the bar staff and patrons who quickly reported the incident, since this allowed officers to safely resolve the situation before anyone was injured.