Man Accused Of Pointing Rifle At Pro-Trump Caravan Arrested

WOODLAND HILLS, CA — A 28-year-old man was arrested this week for allegedly pointing a rifle at a pro-Trump parade in Woodland Hills

The Aug. 31 incident triggered a SWAT Team response in which officers evacuated an apartment complex and surrounded the unit where the alleged gunman was thought to be holed up. They entered the apartment after several hours and found it empty. More than a week later, Los Angeles Police Department investigators arrested 28-year-old Andre Allen Young on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident happened just days after a St. Louis couple filmed pointing guns at Black Lives Matters protesters was feted at the Republican National Convention as defenders of the American way of life, and the White House issued a statement, calling charges filed against the couple an “egregious abuse of power.” As of Friday night, the White House had not issued a statement regarding Young's arrest. Both incidents occurred amid a climate of heightened tension between police protesters and right wing groups that have resulted in fatal shootings.

Hundreds of Trump supporters took part in a vehicle caravan that morning along Ventura Boulevard, heading toward Studio City Aug. 31. At about 11:30 a.m., there was a report of a possible shooting targeting the caravan as it passed by the Chalk Hills Court building in the 20300 block of Ventura Boulevard.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the occupants of an apartment in the 20500 block of Ventura Boulevard shouted and threw bottles at rally participants. One of them also pointed a rifle at one of the rally participants who was arguing with the group, but did not fire any shots, according to LAPD Officer William Cooper.

Responding officers and a SWAT team wound up surrounding the apartment, believing the suspects might be holed up inside. Following an hours- long barricade, the SWAT team made its way into the apartment about 5:30 p.m. and found no one inside, but recovered a rifle during the search, according to the LAPD.

Detectives subsequently identified Andre Allen Young as the suspect who allegedly pointed the gun and arrested him about 10:25 a.m. Thursday, according to police, who said a second firearm was found at his apartment.

Young was booked at the Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, the LAPD reported.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.