A Schuylkill County man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly brandishing a handgun during a heated altercation outside a Shenandoah Heights home last week.
Bruce Browning, 39, of West Mahanoy Township, is charged with aggravated assault, illegal gun possession, and carrying an unlicensed firearm, all felonies, along with summary offenses of harassment, and disorderly conduct in connection with a June 13 incident on Ohio Ave.
According to court documents filed by police in West Mahanoy Township, the incident began around 8:30 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a large fight in progress outside 228 Ohio Ave. Dispatchers advised officers en route that one of the individuals involved may have displayed a firearm and then returned inside the residence.
When officers arrived, they spoke with Megan Browning, who said her son had been struck in the face by another juvenile male. Her son reportedly went inside the residence and informed his father, Bruce Browning, of what had occurred.
Bruce Browning then allegedly left the residence to confront the other juvenile, who was in the area of 240 Ohio Ave. After the confrontation, that juvenile reportedly returned to the scene with several adults, identified as Iris Mendoza, Edwin Benitez, and Erlin Benitez, police say. Megan Browning told police that individuals in the group began throwing rocks at her vehicle.
Bruce Browning then emerged from the residence and began arguing with the group on his porch. During the verbal exchange, he allegedly struck one of the juveniles, prompting Mendoza and the Benitez individuals to challenge him to a physical fight.
Multiple witnesses reportedly told police that during the argument, Bruce Browning said, “I got something for you,” and pulled a small black semi-automatic pistol from his waistband. He then allegedly racked the slide, as if chambering a round, and pointed the gun at the group.
One witness told police he saw Bruce Browning holding the firearm and was concerned for the safety of his daughter, who was playing nearby. The witness said Bruce Browning allowed him to retrieve his daughter but continued to brandish the weapon while Megan Browning attempted to push him back inside the house.
The one juvenile involved in the original altercation reportedly told police that after Browning struck him, he got Mendoza, Edwin Benitez, and Erlin Benitez to come to 228 Ohio Ave., where they confronted Browning. Erlin Benitez reported that during the confrontation, Bruce Browning pulled the gun from his waistband, racked the slide, and pointed it at them. The group said Megan Browning pushed Bruce Browning back into the residence while the gun was still in his hand.
All witnesses interviewed reportedly told police that the firearm appeared to be real and that they were fearful for their safety.
Initially, Megan Browning denied that Bruce Browning possessed a firearm and said neither of them owned one. However, police noted that five people had reported seeing the weapon and described Browning racking the slide during the confrontation.
Later, Megan Browning reportedly acknowledged that there were BB guns and toy firearms in the house and said the item Browning held may have looked like a real gun. She declined to consent to a search of the residence without a warrant.
After being informed that police would seek a search warrant, Megan eventually allowed officers inside. A gray-colored Luis Vuitton concealed carry holster was found on a couch with a 9mm magazine inside. Megan said she believed the holster previously contained a BB gun. Officers did not locate any firearms or Browning in the residence during their search.
Back at the West Mahanoy Township Police Station, investigators learned that Bruce Browning has multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions in New York, including for the criminal sale of a controlled substance and for criminal possession of a loaded firearm. These convictions prohibit him from legally owning or possessing a firearm or obtaining a concealed weapons permit, police say.
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