SEATTLE -- A 35-year-old homeless black man is being held on $500,000
bail after he pointed a gun at a white man's face and demanded he
apologize for all the things white people did to black people,
according to charges filed with King County Superior Court.

Chikwanha Eastling Nyashanu has been charged with assault and
malicious harassment for the Aug. 11 incident near the basketball
courts at Green Lake Community Center.

According to probable cause documents, Nyashanu walked up to the
victim around 9:15 p.m., pointed a gun at his face and demanded the
apology.

The victim later told officers he was scared out of his mind and
offered Nyashanu his wallet. According to the documents, Nyashanu said
he didn't want the wallet, just an apology.

According to the documents, the victim apologized profusely to
Nyashanu, who pulled the gun away from the victim's head and walked
away.

Officers found Nyashanu nearby and tazed him after he refused orders
to get on the ground, according to probable cause documents. Officers
reportedly found his gun loaded and additional ammo in his backpack.

Nyashanu, who denies having substance abuse or mental health issues,
was arrested and booked into King County Jail, according to the
documents.

The victim told officers he believes he was targeted because he was
the only white person walking in the area, and Nyashanu would have
demanded an apology from someone else if he hadn't been there.

Regardless, the victim told officers he doesn't think the crime was
racially motivated. But, officers could find no other evidence for the
attack and believe the victim was threatened based on his perceived
race and color.

Nyashanu has a history of weapons offenses. He brought a gun into a
tavern in 2012 and was convicted for carrying a pistol in 2002. He
also has convictions for obstruction in 2006 and reckless endangerment
in 2009.

Three to four other men told officers Nyashanu pointed a gun at them
near the Green Lake Community Center, and the Seattle Police
Department is investigating those allegations.



Green Lake is a recreational area with walking and jogging around the
lake, basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis courts, a pitch n putt.
Not the sort of place you'd expect to encounter an armed loon.

But I'm sure he was legally carrying until he threatened this guy.
Should we all jog, play basketball, tennis and soccer fully armed? Or
should we leave our loaded guns in our gym bag on the sidelines?

On Thursday, August 15, 2013 4:36:10 PM UTC-4, jps wrote:
SEATTLE -- A 35-year-old homeless black man is being held on $500,000
bail after he pointed a gun at a white man's face ...



But I'm sure he was legally carrying until he threatened this guy.

Why would you say that? Did you miss this?

"Nyashanu has a history of weapons offenses. He brought a gun into a
tavern in 2012 and was convicted for carrying a pistol in 2002. He
also has convictions for obstruction in 2006 and reckless endangerment
in 2009."

*If* he was legally carrying, he sure shouldn't have been. If he was *illegally* carrying, that shows how ineffective laws really are.

On Fri, 16 Aug 2013 06:00:11 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Thursday, August 15, 2013 4:36:10 PM UTC-4, jps wrote:
SEATTLE -- A 35-year-old homeless black man is being held on $500,000
bail after he pointed a gun at a white man's face ...



But I'm sure he was legally carrying until he threatened this guy.

Why would you say that? Did you miss this?

"Nyashanu has a history of weapons offenses. He brought a gun into a
tavern in 2012 and was convicted for carrying a pistol in 2002. He
also has convictions for obstruction in 2006 and reckless endangerment
in 2009."

*If* he was legally carrying, he sure shouldn't have been. If he was *illegally* carrying, that shows how ineffective laws really are.

Doesn't say anywhere that he was prevented by law from carrying a gun.
If what he was convicted of wasn't a felony, he would retain the
"right to bear arms."