Bonifay man arrested after brandishing firearm in public

CHIPLEY –  A Bonifay man is in custody after brandishing a firearm while circling the parking lot of a Chipley store.

The Chipley Police Department responded on July 7 to a report of a suspicious incident taking place in the Walmart parking lot. Officers were advised that a man was driving around the parking lot while  recklessly brandishing a firearm from the driver’s side window of his vehicle.

When officers arrived on scene, they spotted the vehicle and performed a traffic stop. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Takoda Robert Walters, was found to be in possession of two loaded pistols and drug paraphernalia, according to a Chipley Police Department press release. Further investigation led officers to believe the driver had also been driving under the influence. 

Bystanders reported Walters had been circling the parking lot with the gun in his hand. According to bystander reports, Walters was hanging his hand our of the window and tapping the gun on the window as he passed by them.  

Walters was arrested and is charged with driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper exhibition of a firearm, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.