Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) (File)
(updated) Authorities in Spartanburg arrested a woman Sunday who is accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Congressman. Police said they arrested the woman after she approached 4th District Congressman Trey Gowdy while he was sitting in his vehicle in a church parking lot.
Rep. Gowdy was able to drive away from the woman. Police were quickly notified of the incident and arrested 52-year-old Gloria Brackett.
A bond hearing is set for 2 p.m. Monday for Brackett, who stated she felt Gowdy was following her, but did not know who he was.
According to police reports, Gowdy told the woman he was not following her. Spartanburg Public Safety Director A. Tony Fisher said Gowdy then drove away from the area.
Brackett was later arrested with a .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol with four bullets in the magazine. She also a box of 48 bullets, according to Fisher.
Fisher says investigators have determined that Brackett had been visiting relatives in nearby Cowpens. Fisher apparently took the weapon from the home of one of her relatives without their permission. Fisher says Brackett could also be facing federal charges.
Fisher says no determination has been made on Brackett’s mental state, however she has been involved with similar incident’s according to Georgia authorities.
Gowdy’s office released the following statement:
“Mr. Gowdy is grateful to the Spartanburg Public Safety Department for their help last night and especially for helping make sure his daughter was safe.”
“Given the fact that this is an ongoing investigation with a subsequent prosecution, Mr. Gowdy will not be making any additional comments.”
