Man accused of pointing gun at people at Port Charlotte Beach Park

A man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he reportedly pointed a gun at several people at the Port Charlotte Beach Park, including an incident where a witness said the suspect pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the beach complex at 4500 Harbor Boulevard shortly after 7 p.m. on Saturday following reports of a man with a gun. Deputies detained Daniel Arnot and recovered a Springfield Echelon 9mm handgun, according to a probable cause affidavit. Investigators said one of the encounters began when a man fishing with his family along the shoreline was approached by Arnot, who had a dog with him. The fisherman, fearing the dog, armed himself with a knife but did not remove it from its sheath, according to the affidavit. The fisherman told investigators that Arnot then reportedly pulled a handgun from a shoulder bag, was accused of being verbally aggressive, and displaying the weapon, putting the fisherman and his family in fear. Jacob Morris, a fisherman visiting from Oregon, Ohio, said hearing about an armed confrontation at the beach was unsettling. “You would never expect someone to be here waving a gun around or whatever like that,” Morris said. Investigators said Arnot later approached other people at the park. Another man told detectives that Arnot reportedly pointed the handgun at him and pulled the trigger. One of the victims said he heard the gun click, but it did not fire. The magazine then fell from the gun, according to his statement. A witness also told investigators that Arnot reportedly reinserted the magazine into the handgun and pulled back the slide, causing a round to fall out. Investigators said Arnot then approached a fourth alleged victim, who told detectives that Arnot reportedly pointed the firearm at him and threatened to shoot him. That witness said he pointed a fishing pole at Arnot during the confrontation. According to the affidavit, Arnot reportedly responded, “In Florida, we can shoot you for that.” Morris said the allegation that someone had to use a fishing pole to defend himself was particularly alarming. “That's probably the last thing you expect coming here and just fishing and then having to use your fishing pole as a weapon. Not for fishing. So yeah, definitely scary for sure,” Morris said. Investigators said the trigger was pulled during one encounter, but the gun clicked and did not fire. Deputies later transported Arnot to the sheriff’s District 3 office. Investigators allege he reportedly attempted to run from an interview room and resisted deputies as they tried to handcuff him. A deputy displayed a Taser, and deputies ultimately secured Arnot without injuries, according to the affidavit. Arnot faces four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and one count of resisting an officer without violence. The affidavit states Arnot requested an attorney and declined to provide investigators with a statement. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.