Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., had a scare Sunday evening when a woman approached him in a South Carolina church parking lot and pointed a gun at him.
Gowdy was sitting in his car waiting to pick up his daughter, when the woman approached and accused him of following her. The woman, identified as Gloria Brackett, of Atlanta, pulled a .32-caliber semi-automatic handgun out of her purse and aimed it at him. Gowdy was able to put his car in reverse and drive off, though Brackett pursued him on foot. He drove to the police station. Brackett was arrested shortly after.
Spartanburg police said in a press conference Monday morning that the gun had four bullets in it, and Brackett also had a box of ammunition on her. She had been dropped off at a bus stop by relatives and apparently wandered over to the church.
“There is no evidence to suggest that Ms. Brackett and Congressman Gowdy had a previous association,” a police official said. “We’re not so sure she knew he was a congressman.” A vetting of Brackett revealed no ties to any extremist or political groups.
Brackett has been charged with pointing and presenting a firearm and unlawful carrying. Gowdy’s office issued a statement expressing his gratitude to the Spartanburg police for their help.
