Authorities: Man who brought gun to protest held
Transit patrol deputy with Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office made arrest without causing panic
SAN JOSE >> A man who brought a loaded handgun to Saturday’s March for Our Lives rally in downtown San Jose was whisked out of a crowd of thousands and arrested, authorities have confirmed. This news organization learned about the arrest after being alerted by witnesses, one of whom photographed the arrest and wondered about the lack of news coverage, given the gravity and danger posed by bringing a gun to a gun-control rally.
Authorities say an investigation swiftly determined that the detained man had no violent plans for the march. A transit patrol deputy with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office made what was described as a skillful apprehension without causing a panic.
Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Glennon said the man was participating in the demonstration, and reportedly told authorities he had
brought the Glock .45 caliber pistol — which he carried in a fanny pack — to protect himself and the crowd against any violent and armed interlopers.
“It seems he was supportive of the demonstration, and brought it for his safety,” Glennon said, referring to the gun.
The episode unfolded as the march of roughly 5,000 people walked from City Hall to join more demonstrators assembled at the Arena Green. Around 10:50 a.m., private security staff working for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority got a tip about a “possible suspect with a firearm” according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Transit deputies manning a post at First and Santa Clara street, just off the march route, spotted someone who matched the
tipster’s description, which included a tan trench coat, Glennon said.
A deputy saw a suspicious bulge underneath the front of the man’s trench coat, and approached the man. The deputy asked if he was armed, and the man reportedly told him “no,” but the deputy insisted on searching him in part because of his resemblance to the caller’s suspect description.
“After a pat down, a gun was located, in addition to a magazine,” Glennon said.
Glennon said that after an interrogation, there was “no indication whatsoever” that the man, identified as 54-year-old Michael Tilton of San Jose, was planning any violence. Still, Tilton was arrested and booked on two felony counts of carrying a loaded firearm in public, and having an unregistered firearm. He was later released.
“It’s somewhat ironic that you’re having a march about gun control, and then
someone shows up so outside the bounds of the law,” Glennon said.
Tilton could not be immediately reached for comment, including phone calls and messages left at phone numbers listed for him in public records.
Terry Kreiter said he was bicycling in the area to watch and photograph the demonstration, and happened to be on First Street when he watched the transit deputy deftly enter the march and pull out Tilton. He commended the swift action by the deputy, who was joined by other officers and security personnel to form a ring around the man.
Moments later, the man was safely out of the crowd, Kreiter said.
“That manifested real fast,” he said. “They did such a good job, they got him out so fast. And the crowd just kept on going.”