WASHINGTON (JTA) — A Rhode Island man who reportedly taunted a Chasid was later shot with a Taser gun and arrested.
Michael Watkins, 37, was seen harassing the Jewish man at a Stop & Shop in Warwick, R.I., on Tuesday night.
Authorities followed Watkins’ vehicle, which at first failed to stop when signaled. Watkins then was observed throwing a shotgun out the window, SouthCoastToday.com reported.
The vehicle then stopped and Watkins allegedly ran at police aggressively, prompting the officers to subdue him with a stun gun.
Watkins was charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, possessing a large-capacity firearm, carrying a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without a firearms identification card, a firearms violation with two prior violent crimes, and a violation of civil rights.
The driver of his vehicle, Emily Putney, 19, also was arrested and charged with failing to stop for a police officer, carrying a dangerous weapon and possession of a large-capacity firearm.
