KEY POINTS

  • A man was arrested after pulling gun at who was watching over a "Black Lives Matter" mural in Martinez
  • Joseph Osuna allegedly yelled "All lives matter" at the group while driving past the mural
  • Osuna then made a U-turn, got into an argument and pulled out a loaded .22 caliber revolver 

Martinez police arrested a man late Sunday (July 5) after he allegedly brandished a gun and threatened a member of a group who gathered to watch over the “Black Lives Matter” mural in the city.

The arrest came after the man, who was later identified as 30-year-old Joseph Osuna, drove past the famed mural in the 700 block of Court Street around 6:00 p.m. and yelled “All lives matter” at a group of people near the public art project.

The group confronted Osuna, prompting him to drive away from the site. ABC 7 reporter Anser Hassan tweeted the incident, saying that Osuna circled back and pulled a gun on a young man.

A man holds a picture of George Floyd during a Black Lives Matter protest in New York City
A man holds a picture of George Floyd during a Black Lives Matter protest in New York City GETTY IMAGES / Jeenah Moon

“He rolled by us and yelled at everybody. And flipped us off. So I got into my skateboard to just kind of follow him to get his plates.

“(The driver) made a U-turn, came back at me and pointed the gun in my face. (He) said 'Do you want something?'” the “young man” whom Osuna threatened, told ABC 7.

Fortunately, the person whom Osuna threatened managed to stop a nearby officer and pointed out his vehicle. The officer then alerted other officers nearby and stopped the alleged suspect about a block away.

Police found a loaded .22 caliber revolver after searching Osuna's vehicle, said the San Francisco Chronicle.

Osuna was arrested on suspicion of brandishing and possessing a loaded and concealed firearm in a vehicle. He was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility, about two blocks away from the “Black Lives Matter” mural.

Osuna was wearing an American flag bandana and sported a red, white and blue hat with an American flag in front, with the stripes appearing to resemble bullets. He was taken into custody without incident, said ABC 7.

Osuna's arrest came after the “Black Lives Matter” mural in Martinez was vandalized by a white couple late Saturday. The defacing was captured on video and showed the woman using black paint and a roller to paint over the yellow-clad message in front of the Contra Costa County courthouse.

The man, who wore a red “Trump Four More Years” shirt, was also caught saying that racism is a “leftist lie.”

The mural was quickly restored it was vandalized, said the San Francisco Chronicle.

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