One man has been arrested on weapon and drug charges after an interaction with Galesburg Police officers which nearly could have ended with deadly force being used.
Officers were tipped off early Friday morning at just before 2:30 to an intoxicated man leaving the Broadview Inn with a firearm in his possession.
46-year old Carlos D. Wright, a felon, was located by officers walking down Simmons Street between the Kellogg and Prairie intersections.
Officers approached Wright with weapons drawn, commanding him to show them his hands.
According to reports, Wright put his hands up but continued to walk toward officers. He was instructed to stop walking and to not reach for his weapon.
However he allegedly did not comply, and would reach for the weapon.
It was noted in the police reports that officers nearly used deadly force, but didn’t as Wright apparently held the weapon in a non-threatening manner and would discard the firearm in a nearby metal trash can.
Officers subdued and handcuffed him. He was searched – allegedly trying to hide a baggie containing a half gram of cocaine that was in a pocket of his pants.
He was booked at the Knox County Jail – awaiting his first appearance in court – and charged with Felon in Possession of a Weapon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Resisting an Officer, and Armed Violence.
Wright had been charged and convicted of possession of a controlled substance – a Class 4 Felony – in 2003.
