Columbus-area father cites mental health concerns after son accused of waving gun at passing traffic

Incident reported along Cemetery Road in Hilliard

A 25-year-old man was arrested in Hilliard after police received multiple calls about a person walking along Cemetery Road and allegedly waving a handgun toward passing vehicles, behavior described in records as mimicking an intention to shoot at traffic. The case has drawn attention after the man’s father publicly raised concerns that untreated mental illness may have played a role in the alleged conduct.

Police activity centered on a Speedway gas station on Cemetery Road, where officers located the suspect inside the store area near the men’s restroom. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed the man outside the station before moving toward the back of the building and entering the restroom, according to case records.

Gun recovered from a trash can, charges filed

During the response, an officer found a handgun inside the men’s restroom, covered by paper towels and placed in a trash can, according to records. The suspect was taken into custody and later charged with tampering with evidence, inducing panic, and having weapons while under disability.

In a statement attributed to him in records, the suspect admitted he had been waving the gun along Cemetery Road and said he was experiencing a “mental breakdown” and should not have been handling the weapon in that way. Records also indicate he said he had purchased the gun from an Ohio firearms retailer roughly a week earlier.

What “weapons under disability” means under Ohio law

The “having weapons while under disability” charge is typically used when state law prohibits a person from possessing a firearm due to specific legal conditions. Ohio law lists several potential disqualifying categories, including certain felony indictments or convictions, particular drug-related circumstances, and some mental-health-related adjudications or commitments that establish a legal disability.

The filing of that charge in this case indicates investigators believe at least one disqualifying condition applied at the time of the alleged incident. Court proceedings determine whether the state can prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.

Mental health questions raised as case moves forward

The father’s comments have placed renewed focus on how mental health crises can intersect with public-safety incidents involving firearms. Law-enforcement responses often require rapid decisions aimed at preventing harm, while courts later evaluate criminal responsibility, intent, and the strength of the evidence.

The investigation described in records relies on a combination of witness reports, video surveillance, the recovery of the firearm, and statements attributed to the suspect. The case is expected to proceed through the Franklin County-area court system, where bond conditions, competency questions, and potential treatment considerations may also be raised.

• Location: Cemetery Road corridor in Hilliard, including a Speedway gas station
• Key allegation: waving a handgun toward traffic and acting as if intending to shoot
• Evidence cited in records: surveillance video, recovered handgun, and suspect statements
• Charges: inducing panic, tampering with evidence, having weapons while under disability

As with any criminal case, the charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.