Autistic man charged with grabbing officer’s weapon during struggle

A man who police say fought with Salt Lake library employees after he refused to wear a mask was charged Wednesday with allegedly grabbing an officer’s less-lethal shotgun. | Stock image

Confrontation began when man refused to wear face mask in Salt Lake library

A man who prosecutors say reacted violently when he was told he had to wear a mask inside the Salt Lake City Library has been charged with trying to take an officer’s weapon.

Victor Anthony Michini, 18, of Salt Lake City, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with disarming a police officer, a first-degree felony; assault and interfering with an arresting officer, both class B misdemeanors; and disorderly conduct, an infraction.

On Sunday, Michini entered the Salt Lake City Public Library, 210 E. 400 South, without a mask, according to a police affidavit. Charging documents state that Michini has autism.

“Staff asked subject to wear mask or leave. Subject refused and became angry. Subject hit a computer monitor, knocking it to the floor. Subject then kicked a chair and library staff,” the affidavit states.

Charging documents further state that when they were called, police were told that Michini was “throwing computers and chairs at employees.” A security guard later told officers that Michini bit him and punched him with a closed fist, the charges state.

Other patrons in the library helped corner Michini and hold him until police arrived. Officers then attempted to move Michini into another room away from library patrons, but he refused to walk, the charges state.

Once he was in another room, Michini continued to struggle with officers who were attempting to place his hands behind his back in order to handcuff him, according to the charges.

When the officers finally got his hands behind his back, they noticed Michini had grabbed onto the strap of a less-lethal shotgun that one of the officers was wearing, the charges state. A police sergeant “looked down and Michini had grabbed the middle of his shotgun and was pulling it down. Fearing that he would discharge the shotgun, (the sergeant) punched him in the left lower back area and commanded him to let go of his gun,” according to the charges.

After he let go of the weapon, a restraining wrap was placed on Michini, who was taken into custody.

from Deseret News https://ift.tt/3sJuusq