Soldier arrested for carrying assault rifle in NC mall

This booking photo released, Friday, July 3, 2015, by the Fayetteville (N.C) Police Department shows Bryan Scott Wolfinger, charged with going armed to the terror of the public after police detained him for walking through a mall with an assault rifle, a bulletproof vest, and multiple rounds of ammunition.

Officers arriving on scene encountered Wolfinger near an entrance in the Macy’s wing of the mall, and he was taken into custody without incident. “We don’t think so”, Fayetteville Assistant Police Chief Anthony Kelly told the news station.

Police said Wolfinger apparently came to the mall with the intention of getting his picture taken with the military gear – something police called a “poor decision”.

Police have now charged 25-year-old Bryan Scott Wolfinger with “going armed to the terror of the public”.

“These charges represent actions that are wholly inconsistent with the high standards and values we expect from our paratroopers”, Malone said. “Thankfully, it turned out like it did”.

Witnesses who saw Wolfinger toting the assault rifle called 911. “He told us to go ahead and evacuate”.

Amirah Williams, who was shopping at the mall, said the man’s presence created chaos. “It was scary. Nobody ever wants to be in a predicament like that”. Everyone in the mall was panicking. “It was just scary”.

Some store employees locked themselves inside their stores and pulled down the security gates as rumors spread about a possible second gunman. He did not release any other details, including the man’s identity, or whether he was believed to have posed any threat. They eventually determined that Wolfinger was alone.

Martin notes Wolfinger would not have been issued an AR-15 by the Army.