A man was arrested after he allegedly hit a young girl outside of a local gift shop and threatened the store owner with a gun.

On June 23, around 1:14 pm, Gallup Police Officer Darius Johnson was dispatched to 1506 S. Second St., Crazy Joe’s Store, because a man reportedly had a handgun.

When he arrived at the scene, Johnson met with the manager of the store, who said a man wearing khaki-colored pants, a gray shirt, and red sunglasses pulled a gun on him. The manager stated that he saw the man, who was later identified as Armondo Eddie, hitting a young girl, and yelling at her.

According to Johnson’s report, the manager walked to the front of his business and told Eddie, 38, to stop hitting the girl. Eddie allegedly started walking towards the store manager and began yelling at him, although the manager couldn’t make out what he was saying.

Eddie pulled his shirt up to reveal a handgun in his waistline. The store manager said he feared for his life, and that’s why he called the police. He stated that a group of people, including Eddie, walked around the corner of Dine Grill, 1502 S. Second St., heading west.

Johnson was able to find the suspect, Eddie, sitting in front of Four Corners Clinic, 1500 S. Second St., with two other people.

Johnson approached the three people, along with officers Matthew Strandy, Julio Yazzie, and Alana Bradley. Johnson told the people to lay down on the ground, and he was able to handcuff Eddie.

Strandy found a black BB gun on Eddie, which the officer said looked like a real gun.

Eddie was arrested and transported to the McKinley County Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with child abuse and aggravated assault. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 6.

Staff Reports