Ohio sheriff's deputy speaks out after an IRS office security guard pulled a gun on him

Opinion

An Ohio sheriff's deputy who had a gun pulled on him by an IRS security guard has spoken out about the terrifying moment he braced for a bullet in the back.

'Basically preparing myself to be shot at that moment. Bracing for a shot in my back,' Lucas County Sheriff's deputy Alan Gaston told ABC 13. 

'There's really no way to know how you're going to act when there's a gun pointed at you and when you think you're going to lose your life,' Gaston added. 

Gaston was on duty when he stopped by an IRS office in Toledo on May 31 to ask about a letter he had received. 

He was dressed in his full sheriff's office uniform with his badge and gun clearly visible when he entered the office. Gaston said the security guard, Seth Eklund, told him he could only enter the office if he put his gun in his car.  

Ohio sheriff's deputy, Alan Gaston (pictured), who had a gun pulled on him by IRS security guard, Seth Eklund, has spoken out about the terrifying moment he braced for a bullet in the back

Ohio sheriff's deputy, Alan Gaston (pictured), who had a gun pulled on him by IRS security guard, Seth Eklund, has spoken out about the terrifying moment he braced for a bullet in the back

'Basically preparing myself to be shot at that moment. Bracing for a shot in my back,' Gaston (pictured at the time of the incident) said

'Basically preparing myself to be shot at that moment. Bracing for a shot in my back,' Gaston (pictured at the time of the incident) said 

Gaston was on duty when he stopped by an IRS office in Toledo on May 31 to ask about a letter he had received. He was dressed in his full sheriff's office uniform at the time when security guard, Seth Eklund (pictured), told him he could only enter the office if he put his gun in his car

Gaston was on duty when he stopped by an IRS office in Toledo on May 31 to ask about a letter he had received. He was dressed in his full sheriff's office uniform at the time when security guard, Seth Eklund (pictured), told him he could only enter the office if he put his gun in his car

The deputy said he couldn't do that seeing as he was still on duty so he decided to leave the office. 

Surveillance video obtained by 13ABC shows Gaston walking out of the office before the security guard follows him with his gun pointed at the deputy's back. 

The guard followed Gaston to the elevator with his gun drawn the whole time. 

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He tried to take Gaston into custody as he went to get into the elevator. 

Gaston, who works as a defensive tactics instructor, said he thought the best way to handle the situation was to try and walk away. 

Someone inside the IRS office called 911 during the ordeal and several police officers were caught on the surveillance video arriving to find Gaston and the security guard still standing by the elevators. 

'There's really no way to know how you're going to act when there's a gun pointed at you and when you think you're going to lose your life,' Gaston said of the incident Surveillance video shows Gaston walking out of the office before the security guard follows him with his gun pointed at the deputy's back

'There's really no way to know how you're going to act when there's a gun pointed at you and when you think you're going to lose your life,' Gaston said of the incident 

The guard followed Gaston to the elevator with his gun drawn the whole time. He tried to take Gaston into custody as he went to get into the elevator

The guard followed Gaston to the elevator with his gun drawn the whole time. He tried to take Gaston into custody as he went to get into the elevator

Eklund is now facing an aggravated menacing charge and is expected to face court this week. Gaston has also filed a lawsuit against Eklund for compensation, saying he has suffered emotional and psychological distress from the incident

Eklund is now facing an aggravated menacing charge and is expected to face court this week. Gaston has also filed a lawsuit against Eklund for compensation, saying he has suffered emotional and psychological distress from the incident 

The person who called 911 never mentioned that the man with the gun was a uniformed officer. 

The security guard could be heard telling the officers: 'He's got a gun and he won't leave'.

Gaston said his biggest concern as the incident unfolded were the other people in the office.

'If I'm going to get shot, like I thought I was, it's not fair. They came in there to do their business,' he said.

Eklund is now facing an aggravated menacing charge and pleaded not guilty to the charge on Monday. 

Gaston has also filed a lawsuit against Eklund for compensation, saying he has suffered emotional and psychological distress from the incident. 

The deputy has been on medical leave from the sheriff's office since the ordeal.  


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