Police arrest man with gun at the Hampshire Mall

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

BELCHERTOWN — An Amherst man who was spotted in the parking lot of Dick’s Sporting Goods with a handgun tucked in his waist band Thursday night allegedly pulled the weapon when confronted by police and was arrested after a brief standoff.

Timothy Langdon, 42, of 85 Village Park Road, pleaded innocent Friday in Eastern Hampshire District Court to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a firearm without a license and disorderly conduct.

At 8:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to the sporting goods store’s Russell Street parking lot after receiving word that a man with a firearm tucked into the back of his pants was standing next to a gray car with its door open and loud music playing.

According to a police report written by Hadley Officer Adam J. Bartlett, who was the first on scene, Langdon stared directly at him when he was told to turn around and place his hands on the vehicle and after refusing to do so began moving toward him yelling “You want me? You want this?”

Despite being told to place his hands on his car, Langdon then reportedly pulled a black .22 caliber pistol from his waist band and refused to drop it, prompting Bartlett to draw his weapon, according to Bartlett’s report.

Soon after, officer Mark Ruddock arrived, also drew his firearm and began assisting Bartlett in ordering Langdon to drop his weapon, according to court documents.

After throwing his weapon to the ground, Langdon was reportedly placed under arrest without incident.

Langdon was later found in possession of a .22 caliber magazine.

Judge John Payne Jr. ordered Langdon released on his own recognizance and scheduled a pretrial hearing for June 17.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com