No 2nd Amendment protection? Man with assault rifle, military vest arrested at Cross Creek Mall in Fayetteville

2015-07-03T08:34:59-04:00

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) --

The Fayetteville Police Department has charged an Army soldier after getting multiple reports of an armed gunman at Cross Creek Mall Thursday evening.

A huge number of law enforcement officers flooded the mall located off the All American Expressway when 911 calls started coming in just before 6:30 p.m.

Photos showed several stores with security gates pulled down. Some store employees locked themselves inside businesses until officers told them it was safe to come out.

Eyewitnesses said it was a moment of sheer terror.

"They were, very panicked, actually a lot of kids were crying," said eyewitness Francheska Penn. "They did not understand why adults were running - kind of a scary thing. Everyone just dove in sheer panic. They did not understand what was going on."

On surveillance video, the man wearing a military vest and carrying an assault rifle was seen walking into and out of the mall entrance. Police said he was arrested outside the building near the Macy's wing of the mall.

"Within two minutes, we had officers on the scene. The first two responding officers made contact, gave him a verbal command, [and the] subject complied and they took him into custody," said Fayetteville Assistant Police Chief Anthony Kelly.

Police have now charged 25-year-old Bryan Scott Wolfinger with "going armed to the terror of the public."

They said he was wearing a military ballistic panel carrier and carrying an AR-15 rifle along with multiple high-capacity rifle ammunition magazines.

"We got here within two minutes," said Kelly. "We got to the scene. We secured the scene. Most importantly, we secured citizens shopping when we closed down the mall, and they handled it very well."

Police said Wolfinger apparently came to the mall with the intention of getting his picture taken with the military gear - something police called a "poor decision."

Law enforcement across the country is on high alert this holiday weekend for possible terrorism.

Wolfinger was processed at the Cumberland County Detention Center and later released to his company commander and Provost Marshal at Fort Bragg.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 3 at 2015 8:40 AM

2015-07-03T08:40:40-04:00

I don't know what the open carry laws are in NC. If it is allowed then this is another case of over reaction to someone well within the law. If open carry is not allowed then he violated the law. I wouldn't carry my AR-15 even if it was allowed in my state but others might.

Cops are in a tough spot here. If they do not react and this guy starts shooting they lose. If he is well within the law and they over react they lose.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 8:44 AM

2015-07-03T08:44:30-04:00

This is a very touchy subject. While I completely support the 2nd Amendment and support the right to carry, you have to do it sensibly. Walking into a mall, wearing body armor and loaded magazines can, and does, strike fear into people. In a busy place like that after recent events (Fort Hood; Aurora, CO; Navy Yard), I think the peoples fear is justified.
While some of these people were probably being over sensitive, this guy should have had a better presence of mind to carry the weapon in a case and his body armor in a bag and then put it on when he got to the photo study.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:19 AM

2015-07-03T09:19:57-04:00

one word....Dumbass

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 3 at 2015 9:27 AM

2015-07-03T09:27:25-04:00

An AR15 is NOT an "Assault Rifle." Assault Rifle has a very specific legal meaning under the National Firearms Act (NFA 1934). He was carrying what is commonly referred to as an "Assault Weapon" which is a descriptive term for civilian weapons that look like Assault Rifles. They are not the same thing.

Depending on locale, the term "Assault Weapon" may or may not have legal meaning, as the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB 1994) "sunsetted" in 2004.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 9:53 AM

2015-07-03T09:53:51-04:00

I support the 2nd Amendment. Firm believer in it. YET....common sense was thrown right out the window with this guy. Especially right after the incident at the Washington Navy Yard. Granted, that turned out to be a false alarm, but still not too bright of a guy to do that.

Response by PO2 Edward Shelton made Jul 3 at 2015 9:57 AM

2015-07-03T09:57:51-04:00

Well first off that guy is a dumbass for walking into a public place like that. If he really wanted to have a picture taken with the gear then he should have transported it to the photographer in a wiser manner.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 3 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-07-03T11:07:00-04:00

Few things are as large of a career inhibitor as being totally Delta Alpha in town. I had to live through a number of them. I had an officer transferred into my command without my knowledge (wasn't on the RUAD) who then put his uniform on and joined some antiwar protesters at the Representative's home office, all captured on the 6 o'clock news. It took a while to sort that out while getting screamed at by the 2-Star. Truly a week in the sewer.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:26 AM

2015-07-03T11:26:53-04:00

Common sense should have overridden 2nd Amendment concerns. With all of the mass shootings in the news (South Carolina, the Aurora trial, the DC Naval Yard false alarm), walking through a crowded area with an AR, extra mags, and body armor (for Glamour Shots…dude…really?) was ridiculously stupid and irresponsible.

Even if NC had open carry provisions for rifles (and I don’t know if they do or not), why carry in a mall? I carry concealed everywhere I go. I can guarantee you won’t have to make any 300m shots in self-defense there.

The people that do this as a matter of reinforcing their 2nd Amendment rights are hurting the cause. This guy was vapor locked in the idiot position. He’s lucky law enforcement intercepted him bfore something really bad happened.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Jul 3 at 2015 11:58 AM

2015-07-03T11:58:55-04:00

Yep, PO2 Edward Shelton, this guy is definitely a dumb ass. The mall is posted as no weapons, which is clearly outlined on the doorway to the mall and on the Sheriff's web site. This is what is on the mall's web site, "20.Carrying or displaying weapons of any kind except those carried by certified law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties."

Terror to the public is the civilian charge. Wonder what the military will do.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 3 at 2015 8:50 PM

2015-07-03T20:50:26-04:00

What the hell was he thinking? If you're going to do something like that, you had better know your rights and whats legal and whats not.