Police: Woman Pointed Rifle at Friend During Dispute

An argument between two longtime friends Tuesday — about how they were treating each other — took a turn for the worst when one of them allegedly picked up a rifle and pointed it at the other.

The woman was reportedly laughing as she held the rifle and pushed her female friend, police said. The friend grabbed the barrel of the gun and wrestled the woman to the ground, according to a statement provided by police.

The 52-year-old woman who brandished the firearm, identified as Michele Ann Thomas, of May Street, allegedly pulled her friend's hair and bit her finger during the scuffle, police said.

The firearm belonged to the male resident of the house where the alleged incident took place, at 213 Berwick Ave., and had been in a bag before Thomas dumped it on the ground before the fight escalated, police said.

The male witness told police he saw Thomas' finger on the trigger during the argument; information about whether the gun was loaded was not immediately available.

Thomas reportedly suffered minor injuries during the scuffle, and called 911 around 5 p.m. on April 8 to report them. That's what brought officers to the Berwick Avenue residence and, ultimately, what led to Thomas' arrest after officers conducted an investigation.

Both Thomas and the victim were transported to the hospital, police said.

Thomas was charged with third-degree assault, second-degree threatening, first-degree reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.

Her bond was set at $5,000 and she is scheduled to appear in court on April 15.