Band camp attendees escorted from the field
On July 25,at about 9:30 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a reported man with a gun incident at the Emmanuel Pines Band Camp in Prescott. The man threatened members of a high school band who were practicing on the field. He approached the group and told them to “Stop making noise. Morning and afternoon is ok, but nighttime is not.”
The man then directed a comment to the director and said, “Do we have an understanding.” The director acknowledged that he did. Throughout the incident the man was brandishing a handgun and at times, pointed the weapon directly at band camp students and staff. The man was present for about 45 seconds then walked away and out of sight.
The 52 member band was escorted from the field and placed on lockdown. Deputies searched the neighboring area, but were not able to locate the suspect. It is very likely the suspect lives in the vicinity of the camp.
The suspect is described as follows: White male, in his 50’s, shorter grey hair, approximately 6’ tall. He was wearing grey basketball type shorts with a stripe on the side and a red or salmon colored polo shirt. No facial hair was seen. The suspect apparently spoke with an accent of some type – possibly British or New York based.
One witness did not notice the accent, but commented that the suspect’s speech was slurred. The gun was described as a black semi-automatic handgun with a short barrel. An additional witness has indicated the suspect has a tattoo, unknown type, on his right forearm. The tattoo is closer to the wrist area that the elbow. The suspect is also described as having a “beer belly,” was dirty and sweaty, and “really tan” as if he worked outside frequently.
YCSO is asking for assistance from the public in identifying and locating the suspect. Please contact YCSO at 928-771-3260 or report the information anonymously to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1800-932-3232.