JEFFERSON HILLS, Pa. — Several drivers called 911 last weekend when they said a man was mowing his lawn and waving a gun at cars passing by on Clairton Road.
“That’s so disturbing. Whoever it is, I hope they go to jail or get in trouble,” Kaelin Thomas told Channel 11.
Thomas works at Al’s Cone Zone off of Clairton Road — not far from where police say Michael Bloom was mowing his lawn last weekend, and pointing his gun at passing traffic.
Some of those drivers were headed to the ice cream shop.
“People are just trying to get ice cream. They don’t want to see guns around their kids. They’re definitely not here for that,” she said.
At least 6 people called 911 that evening to report Bloom. One of those drivers had their 3-year-old in the car and told officers, “the man had one hand on his lawnmower, and was pointing the pistol at passing cars, including her own.”
When officers got to Bloom’s home, they said he appeared drunk and was slurring his words. Police say he admitted to having the gun and also gave a reason for what he was allegedly doing.
According to investigators, Bloom had become increasingly frustrated with cars speeding past his home and decided to wave his pistol at drivers to get them to slow down.
“It’s a state road. 35mph speed limit. Of course, it gets frustrating, people drive pretty crazy in all areas not just Jefferson Hills,” Jefferson Police Chief Ron Dziezgowski said.
Chief Dziezgowski added that officers are often patrolling Clairton Road, and residents should leave it up to them.
“Unfortunately this person took it into his own hands, thinking brandishing a firearm might slow people down. That is not the way to do it,” he said.
Bloom is out on bond — and does not have a prior criminal history.
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