A Maryland man has been arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at three young girls who were singing Christmas carols door-to-door in his neighborhood.
Paul Brian Susie, 58, faces multiple assault-related charges in connection with the incident, which occurred over the weekend in Annapolis, Md., according to a press release from Anne Arundel County authorities.
Officers responded on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, to a report of an assault. When they arrived, they learned that three 12-year-old girls had been walking through the area, going door-to-door and singing Christmas carols, the press release said.
Susie, who lives in the neighborhood, allegedly “pointed a firearm at them from a window inside of his residence,” authorities stated.
Court documents obtained by WUSA 9 allege that the girls knocked on Susie’s door twice and announced they were Christmas caroling. Susie then came to the bay window of his home and allegedly drew a gun on the girls, who ran away, according to the documents.
One of the girls’ mother called police to report what happened.
The arresting officer said Susie and his wife were watching television when the girls knocked on the door, WUSA 9 reported.
Officers alleged in court documents, cited by WUSA 9 and WJZ, that Susie was intoxicated and “belligerent” at the time of his arrest. He allegedly admitted to pulling the gun on the children.
Police said they recovered the firearm.
Susie has been charged with first- and second-degree assault, Anne Arundel County officials said in their statement.
“It’s an assault because pointing a handgun at an individual is a threat of violence against that individual, a threat to their safety,” Anne Arundel County Police spokesperson Marc Limansky said, per WJZ.
Susie was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond and is expected to appear in court in December, according to the outlet.
