Columbia Man Arrested for Making Threats Near a Restaurant

A Columbia man was arrested after making threats near a local restaurant Friday night. At approximately 8:25, Columbia police responded to multiple callers to Boone County Joint Communications that a man was walking near La Siesta, located at 33 North Ninth Street, with a nine inch blade threatening crowds of people. Upon arrival, officers witnessed the suspect with the weapon and proceeded to give verbal commands. The suspect fled on foot with his hands behind his back shouting “shoot me”. The foot pursuit continued to the 800 block of East Broadway, where the suspect dropped the knife, but continued to resist arrest. In order to detain the suspect, officers made a forcible arrest by displaying their taser and forcing the suspect to the ground.

The suspect, identified as 28-year old Gabriel Falls of Columbia, was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated. Upon release, Falls will be charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon, assault on a law enforcement officer, property damage and felony resisting.