Woman arrested for pulling gun on black man who asked her for a light
Sherry McLain, who is 67 years old, said that she feared for her life when a stranger approached her in a Walmart parking lot...
Sherry McLain, who is 67 years old, said that she feared for her life when a stranger approached her in a Walmart parking lot.
But when she pulled out a gun to defend herself, she was arrested.
McLain had been loading groceries into her car, which was parked in the crowded lot, when a man approached her.
“I have never been so afraid of anything in my whole life I don’t think,” said McLain. “This guy is the bad guy and I’m the one in handcuffs walking away.”
However, officers who arrived at the scene said the man had just bought cigarettes and was trying to ask McLain for a light when he approached her.
The man, James Crutchfield, is African-American.
“There was no reason for her to perceive any legitimate threat,” said Sergeant Kyle Evans.”Certainly pulling a gun on someone who just asks a question has no weapon is not appropriate.”
Keeley Benoit, whose 7-year-old son and his grandmother were in the parking lot, agreed with the police.
“Clearly this is a gunowner who doesn’t need to own a gun,” she said, recalling her the grandmother’s experience being in the cross hairs. “When she looked up the gun was being pointed at the three of them and the lady says I’m going to shoot you. I’m going to kill you,” said Benoit.
However, McLain insisted that she did nothing wrong. “What are we supposed to do if we can’t protect ourselves. I’m 67 years old,” said McLain.
A judge will decide whether or not McLain’s actions were justified.
