Man allegedly displays firearm during argument at Mexican restaurant

A Clermont man was arrested after revealing a firearm in his waistband during an argument at a Mexican restaurant.

A deputy responded to an undisclosed Mexican grill restaurant regarding an intoxicated man, later identified as 26-year-old Garry Charles Bartlett, who showed a concealed firearm while in an argument with another patron Wednesday night, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

Upon arrival, the deputy met with Bartlett, the other patron and the victim for interviews. Bartlett was already at the restaurant when the other patrol came in. The other patron stated that he was in the area and stopped to pick up dinner at a new place. While inside, a conversation started between him and Bartlett who he suspected had been drinking by his speech, actions and smell, the report said. 

During the conversation, Bartlett accused the other patron of being undercover and investigating him. He asked the other patron for identification, and he handed over his old voter registration card. Bartlett took the card and refused to give it back, the report said. 

Bartlett began speaking to the victim, a staff member, to the side near the front cash register several minutes later while in possession of the card. He showed the victim the card and started calling the other patron names to the victim. While talking with the victim, he raised his hoodie and shirt to show a concealed firearm he was appendix carrying, the report said. 

At that point, the victim became concerned for his and his other staff’s safety due to the comments being made toward the other patron, the report said. He separated himself from Bartlett, and law enforcement arrived sometime after. 

Surveillance footage from inside the restaurant showed Bartlett and the victim standing near the front cash register. They shook hands and began speaking, and Bartlett showed the victim a card from his pocket. Bartlett then lifted his hoodie and showed his firearm to the victim, the report said. 

While the deputy spoke with Bartlett, he again lifted his hoodie and shirt to show his firearm to deputies despite being asked several times not to go into his pockets or mess with his pants. He was placed into custody and searched as a result. He had on his person a black Springfield Hellcat with one round in the chamber and 11 rounds loaded into the magazine of the firearm, the report said. 

Bartlett was ultimately charged with improper exhibition of a weapon or firearm before being transported to the Lake County Jail without further incident. Bond was set at $3,000.