A man has been charged with assault after what authorities initially believed was a mental health emergency.
Officers with the Franklin Police Department were called to a fitness center on Shingle Way on the morning of June 17 after staff reported a man was creating a disturbance.
Authorities said the man, now identified as 34-year-old Johnny Dwayne Roscoe, was sent for a mental health evaluation under police escort. The following Sunday he was taken to Middle Tennessee Mental Health. He was released the same day.
After conducting interviews, police learned Roscoe had mentioned he planned to join a terrorist organization.
Roscoe allegedly also had disturbing posts on social media.
Officers said they had probable cause to believe Roscoe committed assault by intimidation against a person at the fitness center during the disturbance.
According to an affidavit, Roscoe “became irate, raising his voice and cursing. Mr. Roscoe stepped toward [the victim] telling her that he was from the Middle East and an ISIS Muslim. Mr. Roscoe raised his right hand forming what appeared to be a pistol and made two gunshot sounds while looking directly at [the victim].”
Roscoe has been charged with assault. He was being held in the Williamson County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
