ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — A Dougherty County man is facing multiple charges after an aggravated assault against a police officer, Albany Police Department (APD) officials said Monday, March 9.

Officers were reportedly called to the 800 block of West Oglethorpe on Saturday, March 7. O’Hara Thomas Jr., 46, was driving an electric scooter on the wrong side of the road when officers arrived, according to APD.

Thomas ran to a local business and pulled out a weapon, police said. He reportedly dropped the weapon when an officer ordered him to the ground. The weapon was later determined to be an air gun.

No one was injured in the incident. APD confirmed that no shots were fired by Thomas or APD.

“Fortunately, nobody was injured in that one,” APD Chief Michael Persley said. “From talking with the initial information from the suspect was that he carries it for protection because he’s tired of people harassing him. But it’s an air gun. And that’s a bad situation. And for the general public, the way the law reads, it doesn’t have to be a real gun. It can be a replica.”

Thomas faces charges of aggravated assault against a police officer, terroristic threats and other traffic charges.

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