National Guard Member Faces Charges After Incident Involving Weapon

<figure><img alt="National Guard" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/DJ6U67LRERANPAQQRPL6OFPJKM.JPG?auth=7499180903ce370ba82da9be1949601bd75bfdc40f2211be53c902b7023e84a6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=7149&amp;height=4021" /><figcaption>Nathan Howard / REUTERS</figcaption></figure><p>A National Guard member deployed at the request of President Donald Trump pulled a gun on a fellow Guardsman last month, according to court documents.</p><p>Zion Mitchell, a 21-year-old National Guard member from Georgia, is currently in jail after allegedly pointing his loaded service weapon at another Guardsman during a break from patrol.</p><p>Court records indicate that Mitchell was with a group of Guardsmen in a van parked outside a Popeyes in Northeast Washington, D.C., when he argued with another member over a hairstyle's compliance with Army regulations.</p><p>Mitchell reportedly told the other Guardsman, “I would slap the Jackson 5 out of you,” to which she responded, “Shut the f--k up,” according to the documents.</p><p>The victim informed police that she heard a “holster click” and, although she could not see Mitchell's gun, another Guardsman told him, “Put that up. You almost shot me in the hand.”</p><p>A Guardsman sitting next to Mitchell questioned his actions, to which Mitchell replied, “It doesn’t matter; it was on safe,” as per court documents.</p><p>Fellow Guardsmen described Mitchell's behavior as concerning during police interviews. One member stated that Mitchell often picked on others, while another mentioned he threatened women. A third member confirmed that Mitchell's gun was loaded and had a round in the chamber.</p><p>During his police interview, Mitchell initially claimed he pointed a pistol magazine at the victim during playful arguments but later admitted to pulling out his pistol.</p><p>He faces multiple felony charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and is being held in a D.C. jail without bail.</p><p>A hearing is scheduled for September 15. Timothy Lauer, executive director of external affairs for the Department of Justice, stated, “The case is being prosecuted consistent with all D.C. violent crime cases and remains under investigation.”</p><p>Mitchell is among thousands of National Guardsmen deployed in Washington, D.C., for over a year.</p><p>District leaders and residents have expressed concerns about the federal presence, suggesting it is unnecessary and politically motivated, accusing the Trump administration of using Washington as a testing ground for its crime policies.</p><p>Many National Guardsmen have appeared disengaged during their deployment, often seen on their phones or vaping while patrolling areas of D.C., including neighborhoods with lower crime rates.</p>