Derry mayor free on bond while charged with pointing gun at kids
Derry Mayor Kevin Gross is out on bond as he awaits a hearing on charges he pointed a gun at four children in a local park.
Gross was released from the Westmoreland County Prison on Tuesday after Rosanne Neiman of Latrobe posted his $20,000 bond.
He is scheduled to appear at an April 24 hearing before Derry Township District Judge Mark Bilik on four counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment, stemming from an alleged confrontation with the children Sunday evening in a park near his Broad Street home.
As a condition of Gross’ bond, sheriff’s deputies confiscated more than 55 firearms from his home Tuesday evening. Westmoreland County Sheriff Jonathan Held said the weapons included handguns and hunting rifles.
State police allege Gross took a loaded revolver to the park after his son was involved in a “scrape” with other boys.
Gross is accused of pointing the weapon at a 15-year-old boy and three girls — a 12-year-old and two 14-year-olds — before neighbors intervened.
Police said Gross ordered the teenage boy to the ground at gunpoint and demanded the girls put their cellphones and belongings down while pointing the weapon at them.
Gross had holstered his weapon by the time state police arrived and surrendered it, according to court documents. Gross admitted to pointing it at the boy, authorities said.
Gross could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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