DC Guardsman Charged With Pulling Gun Over Hair

A Georgia National Guard member deployed to Washington, DC, is charged with two felonies after allegedly pulling a handgun on a fellow soldier during an argument over whether their hairstyles met Army regulations.

Specialist Zion Mitchell, 21, faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a dangerous crime, CNN reported, citing court records. He is being held in the DC Jail.

A judge ordered him held in preventative detention with no cash bond because of the nature of the alleged crimes. His next court date is September 15.

What the Records Say

Mitchell and other soldiers were sitting in a van outside a Popeyes on H Street Northeast on August 25 when the argument over hairstyles began, according to court records cited by CNN. One witness told detectives Mitchell told the soldier he was arguing with that he would "slap the Jackson 5 out of you." CNN reported it is not clear what the comment meant.

One soldier told detectives she heard a clicking noise after telling Mitchell to shut up, and believed he had unclicked his holster. Other soldiers in the van later told police Mitchell had drawn his weapon, and one said they saw him point the handgun at the soldier he was arguing with.

Mitchell first told detectives he had pulled a pistol magazine from his vest and pointed it at a soldier during what he called a playful argument, according to court records cited by CNN. He later recanted and said he had pulled out his pistol and pointed it toward the soldier, but said the gun was aimed downward and not at the soldier's head.

The New Republic, citing an arrest affidavit filed in DC Superior Court, reported the soldier he argued with was a woman seated in the front passenger seat, that six other Guard members were in the van, and that one witness said Mitchell's weapon was loaded with a round in the chamber. That outlet reported the charge as possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.