Holly MatkinCleveland, OH – A suspect accused of pointing a gun at a Cleveland police officer in a viral video posted to social media has been indicted on multiple charges in connection with the incident.
Anthony Bonner, 23, was out on bond in connection with a murder charge when the incident occurred, according to WJW.
A Cuyahoga County Grand Jury subsequently indicted him on charges of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, having weapons under disability, carrying concealed weapons, aggravated burglary, receiving stolen property, and tampering with evidence, WOIO reported.
The video, which was dated April 6, showed two suspects pointing loaded 9mm handguns at a Cleveland police officer who was sitting in his marked patrol unit, WJW reported.
The suspects laughed and waved the guns around from behind what appeared to be tinted glass, WJW reported.
The officer seemed to be unaware of the potential threat.
“This could’ve gone extremely bad because if that officer would’ve looked to the right and saw a gun being pointed at him, they’d have every right to draw their service weapon and fire and they’d have every right, and then what would we hear… ‘Why did they do that?’” Cleveland Public Safety Committee Chair Mike Polensek told WJW.
“Come on, when you’re that emboldened, when you think you can point a gun at a police officer and just laugh about it like it’s a joke, you’re playing with your own life,” Polensek added. “They think they can do whatever they want. They’re not afraid.”
Investigators later identified one of the suspects as Bonner, WOIO reported.
Police spotted Bonner’s vehicle in Euclid on April 22 and attempted to pull him over, but he refused to stop, Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) Sergeant Ray Santiago told the news outlet.
A highway patrol helicopter and units on the ground pursued the suspect as he barreled through red lights and sped off into the Kinsman neighborhood, WOIO reported.
When he reached the 6900-block of Colfax Road, Bonner jumped out of the car carrying a bag and ran into a nearby house, video footage showed.
A SWAT team responded to the scene and the suspect surrendered a short while later, WOIO reported.
Bonner was out on bond in connection with a murder charge at the time of the chase, according to WJW.
He is scheduled to appear on that unrelated charge in August, WOIO reported.
Bonner’s pre-trial hearing in connection with the most recent indictment has been scheduled for May 25.
