Large street fight leads to gun-threat arrest, police say

After getting into fight with several people in a large crowd, a Cape Girardeau man pulled a gun and threatened to kill two people, police say.

Ron Maurice Johnson, 24, was arrested Saturday by Cape Girardeau police and charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon.

Officers responded about midnight Saturday to North Main and Independence streets about a call of a large altercation, according to the probable-cause report. The crowd included about 20 people on the sidewalk, and one officer saw punches being thrown, according to Cape Girardeau Police public information officer Adam Glueck. In the crowd, people started to shout that someone had a gun, Glueck reported.

Witnesses told officers Johnson pulled a concealed black handgun with a silver slide and pointed it at a woman and man, according to a probable-cause report. Victim and witness statements indicated Johnson told both people he would kill them.

"Johnson did unlawfully use a firearm by having the firearm readily capable of lethal force and concealed in his pants," officer Aaron Bennett wrote.

The gun later was found in the vehicle driven by Johnson's girlfriend, according to the report. She was pulled over by a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer, Glueck said. Johnson was not supposed to have a firearm because he was found guilty of a drug offense in September 2010, the report stated.

Johnson's bond was set at $10,000 cash or surety on the condition he may not possess any firearm. Glueck said police recommended charges against one other person in the fight.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address:

North Main Street and Independence Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.