Holly man charged with terrorism threat at Andy's Place reopening celebration
Daniel James Gibson, 26, is accused of threatening to shoot people at the Oct. 10 reopening party for the Holly restaurant destroyed in the 2022 Battle Alley fire. Police found a knife in his backpack but no gun.
By OCJ Staff
A 26-year-old Holly man is charged with a felony after police say he threatened to shoot people at Saturday's reopening celebration for Andy's Place in downtown Holly.
Daniel James Gibson is charged with one count of false report or threat of terrorism, according to WNEM and WDIV. The charge carries up to 20 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.
Charges are accusations; Gibson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What police allege
Officers were called Saturday, Oct. 10, to reports of threats at the outdoor celebration on Broad Street marking the restaurant's return, WNEM reported. About 100 people were there.
According to police, Gibson tried to bring his own alcohol into the event. Organizers removed him, but he climbed back over the fence around the celebration more than once, police said.
Witnesses told police he threatened to "shoot every person in there" while reaching into his backpack, WDIV reported.
As people called 911, Gibson walked toward Crapo Park, where officers found and detained him. Police recovered a large knife from his backpack, WNEM reported. No gun was found. WDIV reported that officers also found containers of alcohol.
Arraignment and bond
Gibson was arraigned Tuesday, Oct. 13, before Magistrate Michael Bosnic in 52-2 District Court. Bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety with a 10% provision, and he was taken to the Oakland County Jail, according to WNEM.
His next court date and whether he has an attorney had not been reported.
Officials react
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, "There is no such thing as an 'idle threat' of mass violence." She said the behavior alleged, by someone intoxicated and carrying a weapon, could have set off a panic in the crowd.
Holly's police chief, identified by WNEM as Chief Narsh, said the department takes every threat of violence seriously and investigates it fully.
A long-awaited comeback
The celebration marked the return of Andy's Place, which was badly damaged in the June 21, 2022, fire that swept through Holly's historic Battle Alley. Read our earlier story on the reopening.
This story uses reporting from WNEM and WDIV/ClickOnDetroit.