Dallas Reporter Says Cop Threatened Him With Shotgun

By: E&P Staff Dallas Morning News reporter Dave Michaels has filed a complaint that accuses an off-duty East Texas policeman of bumping his car, detaining him--and threatening him with a shotgun.

Michaels filed his complaint with the Upshur County sheriff's office against Gladewater police Officer Bryan T. Naismith. Michaels was in the area to report on a fatal shooting last June involving Naismith.

The Morning News in an article Saturday summarized the complaint this way:

"Mr. Michaels twice went to Officer Naismith's neighborhood. The first time, about 6:30 p.m., he knocked on Officer Naismith's front door and spoke with the officer's wife. According to the complaint, she invited Mr. Michaels to return in a half-hour, when the officer was expected back.
About 9 p.m., the reporter said, he drove back into Officer Naismith's neighborhood and noticed a vehicle make a U-turn and approach his car from the rear. The vehicle then bumped Mr. Michaels' car from behind, the complaint said.

"A man dressed in civilian clothes and carrying a shotgun got out and yelled at the reporter, demanding to know his identity. Mr. Michaels said that he identified himself and that the man then pointed the shotgun through his open car window, toward his chest, and ordered him out of the car.

"The man, still pointing the weapon toward Mr. Michaels, acknowledged he was Officer Naismith and continued to yell, saying he had people wanting to kill him.

"According to the complaint, the officer lowered the gun and allowed the reporter to leave after cursing at him: 'I'm letting you know who the [expletive] I am. Get the [expletive] out of here.'"

Upshur County Sheriff's Lt. David Dickerson said the complaint would be referred on Monday to the Texas Rangers.