Gresham police arrest man accused of pulling replica gun on Taco Bell customers

Thanks to community tips, police said they arrested 64-year-old David Mead Sr. as the suspect in the incident on Wednesday evening.

The initial report said the man in a pickup truck was pointing a gun at people in the drive-through, including at a car occupied by two adults and a young child. It was later determined that Mead was allegedly using a replica.

“Through their investigation, officers determined the weapon Mead brandished was a compressed-air powered device designed to fire irritant or kinetic projectiles. The design, coloration, and operation of the device mimic a firearm,” the Gresham Police Department said in a press release. “While it is not illegal to possess this kind of self-defense tool, displaying it or any replica firearm during a dispute can cause the situation to escalate and may lead to criminal charges.” 

Mead was booked into the Multnomah County jail and faces charges that include unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of menacing.