A St. Paul man was arrested this week after allegedly pointing a gun at a police officer who told him to put his hands behind his back after reportedly witnessing the man illegally selling cigarettes in downtown St. Paul.
Song John Vue, 21, was charged Thursday with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm in the incident, which took place Tuesday at the Central Station light-rail platform near the Vertical Building at 46 E. Fifth St., according to the criminal complaint filed against Vue in Ramsey County District Court.
Officers have been patrolling the area after receiving complaints of people loitering and selling cigarettes, the complaint said.
On Tuesday, officers observed Vue approaching people with something in his hands inside the Vertical Building, according to the complaint. Police noticed he was selling cigarettes and cigars to numerous people, some of whom appeared underage, the complaint said.
Officers eventually approached Vue and told him to put his hands behind his back. Instead, he reportedly tensed up and tried to pull away from police. During the struggle, Vue pulled out a gun and pointed it “directly at (one officer’s) neck and chin,” the complaint said. He then dropped the firearm.
Officers recovered a loaded Arminius Titan .38 Special revolver at the scene. They also discovered ammunition, a box of cigars and a pack of Newport cigarettes inside Vue’s backpack, according to the complaint.
When questioned, Vue said he was hanging out in the area waiting for some girls and denied selling cigarettes.
He said he got the gun the day before and was carrying it for protection. He said he removed it during the altercation with police because it was inside his waistband and he didn’t want it to go off during the interaction, the complaint said. Vue also reportedly said he was a longtime gang member who got out of prison three months ago on gun charges.
Vue’s criminal history includes a conviction for second-degree burglary, making him ineligible to carry firearms. He also has two other felony convictions for unlawfully possessing firearms, the complaint said.