Man With Loaded Assault Rifle In Petaluma Park Was 'Pointing At Trees,' He Tells Police

Petaluma, CA - Police on Wednesday arrested an 18-year-old Sonoma County man when they found a loaded assault rifle equipped with a 30-round magazine in his vehicle that he said he was "pointing at trees."

Petaluma police charged Christopher Middleton on four counts of weapons violations after police searched his car in Rocky Dog Park following an argument with a passenger.

Police responded to a call around 4:40 p.m. from a passenger in Middleton's vehicle saying that Middleton had displayed a firearm at him "in a threatening manner while they were arguing with each other," police said. 

The alleged incident occurred while the vehicle was traveling on state Highway 101 toward Petaluma. The pair ended up at Rocky Dog Park, where the victim left Middleton to report the incident to authorities, according to Petaluma police. 

In the call to police, the victim reported that Middleton was in his vehicle at park and had the firearm with him. When officers arrived, they found Middleton’s vehicle parked in the south portion of the parking lot, and the suspect was standing next to his vehicle, police said.

Police took Middleton, whom Petaluma authorities call a Sonoma County transient, into custody.

Inside Middleton’s vehicle, police say they found a loaded assault rifle that was equipped with a 30-round magazine:

The magazine was loaded with 30 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition. Another 30 round magazine was located and it was loaded with 10 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition. In addition, two other unloaded high capacity magazines, unloaded 870 shotgun, unloaded .22 caliber rifle, approximately 500 rounds of assorted ammunition, gas mask, military type backpack, canteens, and black knit ski mask were located inside of the vehicle. Officers were not able to determine why Middleton was in possession of all the items.

Petaluma police said while officers were searching the vehicle, suspected bomb-making materials were located. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad found the bomb-making materials were pieces of fireworks that were inert.

When officers interviewed Middleton, he claimed he had the assault weapon out just before police arrived and that "he had been pointing it at the trees that surround the park," police said.

Authorities say Middleton was booked at the Sonoma County Jail on the following listed charges and held on $10,000 bail:

Charges: 30605(a) PC, Unlawful Possession of Assault Weapon
               32310(a) PC, Unlawful Possession of High Capacity Magazines
               417(a)(1) PC, Display Firearm in a Threatening Manner
               25850(a) PC, Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public Place