Moses Lake man allegedly threatens suicide, waves gun

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Monday night after he allegedly waved a gun in the air and pointed the weapon at his head in Moses Lake.

About 9:30 p.m. the Moses Lake Police Department was advised of a possible suicidal man, identified as Brent McKinney, 31, of Moses Lake, in the 2200 block of West Broadway Avenue. The woman who contacted police advised McKinney had threatened to shoot himself, according to police records. MLPD officers reportedly located McKinney, who is a convicted felon, walking on Broadway Avenue carrying a handgun.

“McKinney was waving the gun around, at times pointing the gun at himself and in the air. Officers used their vehicles in an effort to control traffic while still following McKinney out of concern for the driving public,” MLPD Captain Dave Sands said.

McKinney eventually threw the weapon, which was loaded with a round in the chamber, on the ground and was taken into custody. Sands said as officers were taking him into custody, McKinney kicked an officer. He was booked into the Grant County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and third-degree assault. Police learned the gun McKinney was carrying, a 9mm Ruger, had been reported stolen during a vehicle prowl in Moses Lake on June 15.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.