An off-duty court officer was arrested around 10 p.m. on St. Patrick's Day after pulling a Don Knotts routine outside FBI headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza. A civilian Federal Plaza guard, Rashed Bakth, says Michael Armstrong, 42, fired off his Glock 9mm semi while shooting the breeze with a friend. Bakth tells the Post, "I told him to stop; he ignored me, and kept talking to his friend, saying, 'Sorry I misfired.' I told him... to stop. He kept being arrogant and repeating the same line. I approached him and put his gun in my possession." Why can't everyone keep it safe and just drink Shamrock Shakes on St. Patty's Day? (Oh, right.)
According to the criminal complaint, Bakth told cops "an odor of alcohol was emanating from Armstrong," who's assigned to Civil Court at 111 Centre Street. Bakth says Armstrong told him the firearm "accidentally discharged as he was taking it out of his holster to move it to another holster." Nobody got hurt, but Armstrong was charged with reckless endangerment, which could result in a year in prison.
"Was he drinking? Yes. Was he intoxicated? No," Dennis Quirk, the President of the New York State Court Officers Association, tells the Post. "He definitely was not intoxicated. He claimed to have three or four beers over a five-hour period. It was at one of those bars down by the courthouse. He said it was accidental." Nobody's perfect! Nevertheless, Armstrong faces departmental charges beyond the criminal charges, and could be suspended.
