Trouble in the neighborhood

ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A debate over the 2016 presidential election got so heated between two men having dinner at an Applebee’s Wednesday that one of them may have threatened the other with his concealed gun, prompting a brief lockdown of the restaurant.

According to an Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department report, the incident happened about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The two friends began discussing politics, and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump came up, which led to an argument.

“You think you know everything … you think you’re so sophisticated,” one man shouted, according to the report.

The suspect then stood up, shouting, “What are you going to do about it? Let’s step outside.”

At that point, the man reportedly lifted his shirt and gestured toward a handgun tucked in the front of his waistband, though witnesses said he never drew it. The other man and one other Applebee’s employee called 911, and sheriff’s deputies responded. The restaurant was briefly locked down for patrons’ safety.

One of the waitresses reported witnessing the verbal altercation, but did not see a gun, as the man’s back was turned to her when he stood up.

When deputies arrived they were informed the suspect had already left the premises. When they contacted him at his home in Jefferson, Ohio, the man did not deny carrying his gun into the restaurant, but told deputies he didn’t reveal it during the argument. He said the other man likely noticed it under his shirt when he stood up.

“(He) went on to say that, ‘I’m not stupid and would not do something like that to get myself in trouble,'” Deputy Jason Francis states in his report. Deputies warned the man about the consequences of his actions and left without further incident. No charges were filed. The suspect, however, is barred from the restaurant.

It is unclear why the two were arguing over Donald Trump, and which of the two backed the GOP candidate.

Justin Dennis writes for the Star Beacon in Ashtabula, Ohio.