Police say suspect pushed child, used racial slurs, and resisted arrest after disturbance on Foote Avenue

(WNY News Now) – JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man is facing multiple charges, including hate crime-related offenses, following a reported disturbance at a Foote Avenue business late Sunday morning.

On July 20, 2025, at approximately 11:35 a.m., officers from the Jamestown Police Department’s 1st Platoon responded to a call about a disorderly individual inside a business on Foote Avenue. Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect had thrown water at one victim, pushed a child, and shouted racial slurs.

The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Lawrence Gibbons, was located a short distance from the business. When officers attempted to place him under arrest, Gibbons allegedly fled the scene on foot. After a brief pursuit, officers were able to detain him without further incident.

Gibbons was transported to the Jamestown City Jail and is charged with two counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Resisting Arrest.

He is currently being held pending arraignment in Jamestown City Court. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.