Butter Fingers: Careless Shopper Drops Handgun At Virginia Mall

A 20-year-old man is in custody after dropping a loaded firearm on the floor of a Northern Virginia mall, police said.

Thomas Ballard was found with the above items after dropping the loaded gun at Spotsylvania Towne Center, police said.
Photo Credit: *Spotsylvania Sheriff*

07/25/2023 3:42 p.m.

Thomas Ballard was charged with carrying a concealed weapon, shoplifting, and possession of marijuana while under 21, and being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under a $2,500 bond, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said in a release.

Ballard dropped the loaded gun on the floor of a business inside Spotsylvania Towne Center around 3 p.m. Sunday, July 23, then picked it up as if no one noticed, the SCSO said.

Responding deputies detained Ballard near the food court. A loaded 9mm firearm was located in his front pants pocket. During the arrest, Ballard was found with an item he had stolen from another store in the mall, police said.

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