AKRON, Ohio — A Cleveland police officer was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly threatened to shoot everyone inside an Akron bar and flashed what is believed to be his service weapon, according to an Akron police report.
At about 1:20 a.m., Akron officers responded to Ray’s Pub in the 800 block of West Market Street after receiving a call about “a man threatening to shoot everyone inside the establishment,” the report states. While en route, officers learned the man had left the scene, and they were given a vehicle description.
Moments later, officers spotted the man’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, the report states. The driver, later identified as 26-year-old Sean Bannerman, was found with a loaded handgun. He was detained without incident.
Officers found a Cleveland police ID in Bannerman’s pocket, and he later informed them that he was an officer. The report states that the weapon recovered is believed to be his duty weapon.
Witnesses said that Bannerman threatened to shoot everyone inside the bar, and at one point lifted his shirt and flashed a handgun in his waistband, the report states.
Bannerman was charged with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm in beer liquor permit premises, using weapon while intoxicated, aggravated menacing, OVI-Alcohol and OVI-BAC.
“That's wild. Like I said, you can't make this stuff up,” said Ray’s Pub owner Ray Nemer.
Nemer said he left for the night right before this incident occurred. He told News 5 Bannerman sat down and ordered a drink before he suddenly began making those threats.
“He literally got a drink, sat down and then the screws went loose on him,” Nemer said. He’s grateful no one got hurt and wants to ensure the public that his bar is still a safe space.
“I think that's the message we need to get across here is that that kind of behavior won't be tolerated and we're going to be safe,” said Nemer. “We all look out for each other. We're a team. We're all family here. You know, we see each other every day, not just the employees, the customers.”
Bannerman was booked into the Summit County Jail and has posted bond.
As for the folks at Ray’s Pub, Nemer said they’re looking forward to moving past this and having a fun Halloween weekend.
