PALESTINE, Texas — Police arrest three teenagers of weapon charges in Palestine last Friday night.
According to the Palestine Police Department, officers responded to a report of multiple people "waving around guns at a Whataburger parking lot located at 1717 S. Loop 256 around 8:20 p.m. The caller said these individuals were getting into and out of a white Chevrolet Traverse.
At the scene, Detective Waldon with the Street Crimes Unit activated his emergency lights and held the young men at gunpoint while awaiting backup. Waldon said one of the passengers was making several movements and was ordered multiple times to keep his hands up.
Police later identified this person as a 17-year-old teen.
Officer B. Martin arrived to assist Waldon and ordered the teen to exit the vehicle. Martin attempted to detain him, but the teen reach into his waistband as he was exiting the vehicle, police said.
Police said Martin stopped the teem from reaching for his waistband several times as he was being detained. Martin was able to get him handcuffed and checked him for weapons. Police found a loaded handgun in the front waistband of his pants.
The gun and several rounds of loose ammunition were recovered from his pants pocket, officials said.
As officers placed the teen in custody, a Whataburger employee was recording with a phone and yelled at officers. Police told her several times to stay back and not interfere.
The other two men were removed from the vehicle and placed in custody. Police identified them as Damian Salinas, 17, and Judan 'Judah' McKay, 18.
Officials found Salinas had a loaded handgun, and McKay had a “sawed-off” or short-barrel shotgun in his backpack. Both are classified as a prohibited weapon under Texas law.
Both young men said they were involved in an altercation with people from another vehicle before police arrived. They admitted that they displayed handguns at these other persons, who left the scene before the officer's arrival, police said.
McKay and Salinas were booked for unlawful carrying a weapon at the Anderson County Jail. The 17-year-old teen was charged with resisting arrest search or transport and unlawful carrying weapon.
"The poor judgment of Mathews could have easily led to his injury or death if not for the skill and restraint demonstrated by the officers on the scene, particularly Officer Martin," said Mark Harcrow, PPD Chief. "I commend these Officers on bringing this incident to an end without any injuries."
Police said officers have responded to several calls in recent months at this Whataburger location and the Palestine Plaza involving fights, drugs, and weapons offenses.