AKRON, Ohio — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
A Cleveland Police officer has pled guilty to charges stemming from an October 2021 incident in which he allegedly threatened to shoot patrons at an Akron bar while off-duty.
According to the Summit County Prosecutor's Office, Sean Bannerman pled guilty to the following charges last month:
- Illegal possession of a firearm in Liquor Permit Premises (3rd-degree felony)
- Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (1st-degree misdemeanor)
As a result of his plea, Judge Alison McCarty sentenced Bannerman to one year of community control. If he does not comply with the conditions of community control, he could be sent to prison for three years.
According to a report from the Akron Police Department, officers responded to Ray's Pub in the 800 block of West Market Street at about 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 29 for a report about a man threatening to shoot everyone inside the establishment. While on their way to the pub, officers received information that the suspect left the scene and were provided a description of the vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle at W. Market Street and Portage Path and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, identified as Bannerman, was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and was detained without incident.
During initial contact that Akron police had with Bannerman, they located a Cleveland Police ID in one of his pockets and he later informed them he was a police officer. The weapon recovered is believed to be Bannerman’s duty weapon.
According to witnesses, Bannerman allegedly threatened to shoot everyone in the bar and at one point, reportedly lifted his shirt and flashed a handgun in his waistband. He was initially charged with Improper Handling Firearm in Motor Vehicle, Illegal Possession of Firearm in Beer Liquor Permit Premises, Using Weapon While Intoxicated, Aggravated Menacing, OVI-Alcohol (Operating a vehicle while intoxicated), and OVI-BAC.
Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.