Police in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania arrested an armed man wearing a clown wig after he reportedly entered a Dairy Queen planning to “kill all the Democrats,” the Delmont Borough Police Department announced Tuesday.
The suspect, 61-year-old Jan Stawovy, allegedly entered a Dairy Queen Saturday wearing a bright colored suit and rainbow wig with a loaded firearm, leading Officer Gregory Stull to arrive and detain him, Chief Timothy Klobucar said. Police found two additional firearms in his vehicle and several rounds of ammunition.
Several people were inside the restaurant at the time of the alleged suspect’s entry, including some with intellectual disabilities, the Tribune-Review reported.
The suspect told police he was “undercover” and worked to “restore” former President Donald Trump” as “president king of the United States,” the outlet reported. He said he arrived to “kill the Democrats and liberals” and protect himself from “drug traffickers.”
Stawovy had reportedly been kicked out of two different congregations in Westmoreland County due to his public outbursts, CBS News reported. The New Stanton Assembly of God ordered him not to return to their property in an August, 2021, letter and recommended he seek professional help. (RELATED: Man Who Allegedly Attacked Trump Supporters With A Firework Arrested And Charged)
The Barren Run Methodist United Methodist Church in Smithton made the same recommendation in a Friday letter, saying he had repeatedly shown up to their church in a clown costume, the outlet reported.
Stawovy is in custody currently awaiting his preliminary arraignment for charges of carrying without a license, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct, the Tribune-Review reported.
Klobucar praised Stull’s quick response to the incident Tuesday’s Facebook post describing what took place.
“I am grateful for Ofc. Stulls fast response and actions to this incident that had the potential to end very differently,” he said. “I am very fortunate to all of our officers for being professional and dedicated to our community and department.”