Fight Starts In Westlake Police Parking Lot; Illegal Guns Found

WESTLAKE, OH — A fight broke out in the parking lot of the Westlake Police Department, leading to officers finding loaded handguns in a participant's cars.

The melee started at about 3:50 a.m. Westlake Dispatchers saw several men in the front lot pushing and shoving each other. Officers were sent out to break up the scrap and find out what was going on.

Everyone involved in the brawl had come to the police department for the same reason — to bail out a mutual friend. When they arrived in the station parking lot, however, the group began arguing about whether or not someone planted drugs on their buddy. The argument started to get out of hand, but police broke up the fight.

One of the fight participants had a concealed carry permit and a handgun in his car. Officers went to collect the weapon from the man's vehicle, until things calmed down, but when they opened the door they could smell burnt marijuana, police said.

Officers began investigating the odor and found another loaded gun, and a 30 round magazine. That weapon belonged to another person involved in the brawl — and that person did not have a concealed carry weapon permit. He was arrested for the felony violation.

The legal handgun was returned to its owner and everyone was sent on their way.

Of note, the group's friend could not be bailed out of jail because he was being held on a felony charge. The friend needed to appear in court, police said. No members of the group ever needed to come to the police department.

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