APD officers detain eight at gunpoint

Anderson Police officers Stephen Harper and Robert Curato detained eight people at gunpoint Sunday night, July 11, outside the Handy Spot Market in Anderson, police logs show. Someone called police to the Northway Street convenience store when knives were drawn at about 10:30 p.m., the incident log states.

Upon arrival, the officers stayed by their vehicles and drew their guns while also issuing verbal commands, Chief Dale Webb said. Police dog Nikita remained in Harper's police car, Webb said, however, the presence of a police dog barking in the background provided leverage for the officers in that situation, the police chief speculated.

Sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol officers including a helicopter also responded to the incident.

Two knives were confiscated once everyone was identified, but Webb said that no one pressed charges and no one appeared to be a victim. According to Webb, everyone involved in the disturbance said nothing happened so no arrests were made.

Anderson police are investigating whether the disturbance was gang or racially related, Webb said, adding that the racial make-up of the group included Hispanic males and one female, a couple of white males and a black male. He added that no known gang members appeared to be involved. Three of those in the group were juveniles, according to the police log.

Webb added that the disturbance may have been connected to a fight earlier that same day at the 7-11 convenience store on North Street.