Watertown man charged after reported gun incident near Public Square

Watertown police charged Smith, a 32-year-old man, after receiving a report of a person with a gun near Public Square and the Top of the Square parking lot, police said. The suspect was arraigned in Jefferson County CAP Court and held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility on $30,000 cash bail.

Police said the charges are second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony; fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a Class E felony; second-degree menacing, a Class A misdemeanor; and second-degree obstructing governmental administration, a Class A misdemeanor. The charges are allegations, and the suspect is presumed innocent.

Police said officers were flagged down at about 2:38 p.m. in the 100 block of Public Square. They reported seeing an orange Nissan turn onto Court Street and enter the Top of the Square parking lot. The person got out holding what appeared to be a firearm and ran toward the YMCA at 146 Arsenal St., police said.

The suspect was taken into custody without incident near the YMCA, according to police. Officers seized a black Ruger 9mm handgun in connection with the complaint. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office and 911 Center assisted, police said.