Boise man allegedly threatened teens with a gun at Idaho haunted house over Trump fight
A Boise man is charged with several felonies after he allegedly pointed a handgun at juveniles while intoxicated last weekend at a Caldwell haunted house — all because of an argument over President Donald Trump.
Joshua Lockner, 37, was charged this week with six felony counts of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon under the influence, according to online court records.
Police were called to Haunted World in Caldwell at 10:43 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, after a report that a man pulled out a gun and threatened people, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by the Statesman.
Canyon County sheriff’s deputies made contact with Lockner and said they obtained a handgun that was in his back pocket. The affidavit says a deputy noticed “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath,” and authorities say that Lockner admitted to drinking alcohol.
Lockner reportedly told police that he was at the haunted house with his family and was walking onto a bus when several juveniles began yelling at him about his T-shirt, which read “Trump 2020.” Lockner claimed that “two Black juveniles threatened to hurt his wife and aggressed him,” according to the affidavit. He pulled out his handgun and told those on the bus to stop recording him on their phone.
Officers also spoke with several people on the bus who witnessed the incident.
Witnesses told police that Lockner walked onto the bus and yelled “Trump 2020,” which prompted someone else on the bus to yell “f--- Trump,” the affidavit says.
Lockner and the others on the bus began yelling back and forth, witnesses said. One witness told police that they noticed Lockner was “slurring his words.” Shortly after, Lockner stood up and began yelling, and then pulled out the handgun.
Witnesses told the deputies that Lockner waved the gun around and told people to “calm down.” Multiple witnesses reported fearing for their safety. A video of the incident was shared with police and corroborated statements from witnesses, the affidavit said. The video showed Lockner yelling to calm down, and someone on the bus responded by saying, “You’re the one with the gun.”
Shortly after, a woman walked on the bus and told Lockner to stop, and he put away the handgun before security staff escorted him off the bus.
Lockner was arrested and booked into the Canyon County jail. Online court records show that he posted a $25,000 surety bond Tuesday, leading to his release.
He appeared in court Tuesday via video for an arraignment hearing. Lockner has not entered a plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 28.
A search of court records reveals that Lockner has previous arrests and convictions related to driving under the influence, reckless driving and disturbing the peace. The judge at his appearance Tuesday said Lockner “looks like a guy to me who likes to get himself drunk,” and his bond was set with the condition that he doesn’t drink.
This story was originally published October 15, 2020 at 5:51 PM.
