An Indianapolis woman has been charged after allegedly pulling a gun on employees at a children’s store after being told her toddler could not play with a motorized toy, according to court documents obtained by FOX59.
The incident happened July 16 at Once Upon a Child near 86th Street in Indianapolis. Employees activated the store’s silent holdup alarm, and police were called to the business after Staten had already left.
Tamya Staten, 21, faces felony charges of intimidation with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm at another person in Marion County. Court records show a warrant has been issued for her arrest, and she had not been arrested as of the latest reports.
Court documents also say Staten went to the store with her toddler to sell clothing. While employees were processing the items, her child began playing with a small motorized ride-on car inside the store.
Employees told Staten that store policy prohibited children from playing with the toys. Police said she continued allowing her child to use the car despite being told again to stop.
The situation escalated when Staten allegedly pulled a large black handgun from her purse and placed it in her leggings. She then confronted an employee and allegedly threatened her while pointing to the gun.
“We can fight about it. We can get down,” Staten allegedly said, according to court documents. “I can use this.”
Police said Staten later pulled the handgun back out and pointed it toward employees. She then reportedly encouraged her child to continue playing with the toy and showed the child how it worked.
Afterward, Staten put the gun away, picked up her child and left the store. Surveillance footage captured the incident and also showed her leaving in a 2011 Jeep Patriot.
Detectives identified Staten using the vehicle’s license plate, which was captured on surveillance video, as well as identification she had provided to store employees when dropping off the clothing. Police also used an employee identification of Staten during the investigation.
Staten was formally charged Tuesday in Marion Superior Court 31 with Level 5 felony intimidation with a deadly weapon and Level 6 felony pointing a firearm at another person.
If convicted of both charges, she could face up to 8.5 years in prison, according to FOX59.
Staten remains wanted on the active warrant.