SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A former Southern California police officer has been criminally charged for allegedly holding a gun to the head of a fellow officer after a night of drinking.
Former Laguna Beach Officer Luke Christian Gilbertson pleaded not guilty Monday to assault with a deadly weapon.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office said that on Sept. 23, 2019, Gilbertson, three other Laguna Beach officers and a police dispatcher attended a pool party and barbecue and then went to two other places to drink alcohol.
“The group was in the same vehicle on the way home from a Santa Ana bar when Gilbertson is accused of pulling a handgun from his holster and holding it at the head of a fellow police officer. No one was injured,” a DA press release said.
Laguna Beach Sgt. Jim Cota told The Orange County Register that Gilbertson was placed on administrative leave after the incident, and then was fired this year.
Gilbertson faces up to 19 years in state prison if convicted. He is free on $50,000 bail.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.