Man pulls weapon at school amid debate on guns and martial arts, according to police
WPBF Updated: 9:03 PM EDT Aug 14, 2017
Whitney Burbank
Reporter
PORT SAINT LUCIE, Fla. —
Sunday Chris LaSala was holding an open house at Grace Christian Academy where he teaches physical education in order to get students to join a martial arts after school program.
LaSala said he was talking with a group of kids and their families about the importance of self defense at the Port St. Lucie school but one man in his 60s didn't want to hear
it.
"He proceeded to get up out of his chair walked around the children, the group of people, and pulled a pistol out of his pocket, pointed it at my face over the top of a
woman's face and said, 'Boom your dead'," said LaSala.
LaSala said George Meyer became angry when he mentioned a gun wasn't the best choice for self-defense, because according to LaSala, it can easily be taken away. LaSala
said Meyer used the weapon to try and prove a point, in front of an audience of
students, parents, and even a woman holding an 18-month-old.
"When he walked to his chair, he made sure he let everyone know his gun was locked and loaded and ready to fire," said LaSala.
LaSala said he left the room to alert a school administrator and call police.
"If want to have a discussion or a debate about martial arts and firearms then, well, you talk about it," said Port St. Lucie police spokesperson Frank Sabol Monday. "You
don't have to, especially, it's illegal, to pull out a gun and point it at
somebody to make a point."
Sabol said police arrested Meyer at his home in Port St. Lucie and took away the weapon.
Meyer was arrested on for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and multiple gun related charges including carrying a concealed weapon without a
permit.
Meyer was released on bond, and returned to the school Monday afternoon.
Officials contacted authorities who located Meyer after he left the property.
Meyer was cited for trespassing.
He remains out of jail this evening.