A Los Angeles man was put behind bars after a tense encounter at a Victorville 7-Eleven where he reportedly threatened an employee with a firearm. The man, identified as Eric Lavell Taylor, 66, is facing multiple charges including criminal threats and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Deputies from the Victorville Police Station were summoned to the scene on the 15700 block of Roy Rogers Drive last Wednesday at around 6:33 p.m. Taylor had been told by employees that he was trespassing and was asked to leave, but he adamantly refused and instead began to menacingly move around the store, the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department reported.

Authorities say that Taylor escalated the confrontation by threatening to "shoot up" the location and the victim. According to the report, deputies located Taylor in the vicinity posthaste and placed him under arrest following a positive identification from the store employee.

Now confined at High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, Taylor has been hit with a litany of charges, including P.C. 422(A) Criminal Threats, P.C. 417(A)(2)(A) Exhibit of a Firearm in a Public Place, and P.C. 29800 (A) (1) Felon in Possession of a Firearm, among others. In the light of the incident, officials are actively calling on anyone possessing additional information to urgently reach out to the Victorville Police Station or Sheriff’s Dispatch, with an option to remain anonymous through the We-Tip hotline or website.

The Victorville community has been alerted to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as law enforcement seeks to maintain safety and order in the area. Deputy A. Chester of the Victorville Police Station, quoted in the official statement, underscores the importance of community partnership in these investigations. Those with information can contact (760)241-2911 for the Police Station or (760)956-5001 for Sheriff's Dispatch.