Man Tosses Loaded Handgun During Silver Spring Car Chase: Police

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Washington, D.C. man who led police on a chase through Silver Spring before tossing a loaded handgun out the window has been arrested, according to authorities.

Montgomery County police have identified the man behind the wheel as 30-year-old Kenneth Buckner. Shortly before 11:45 p.m. on Friday, a police officer pulled over Buckner for a traffic violation at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road, authorities said. When the officer confronted Buckner about the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, police said the man sped off.

Police said Buckner then violated a number of traffic laws, including driving through two red lights. He also allegedly threw a loaded handgun from the car window on Cameron Street. The chase came to an end in the area of Spring and Cameron streets, where he was arrested.

Officers recovered the loaded handgun on the ground. Police said they found more than 10 grams of marijuana inside Buckner's vehicle.

Buckner was taken to the Central Processing Unit in Rockville, where he was charged with multiple offenses, including possessing a loaded handgun, reckless endangerment, and possessing more than 10 grams of marijuana.

According to court records, Buckner posted bail and was released from custody on Saturday. He is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 31.