WILKES-BARRE — City police arrested a man who flashed a gun to people protesting President Donald Trump’s administration at Saturday’s “No Kings” event on Public Square, eyewitnesses said.
Police said information on the arrest will be released in a post on Facebook. The man flashed his gun while in a red Jeep furnished with Trump flags, the witnesses said.
The red Jeep was parked in front of Rodano’s on the Square after the man’s arrest and was towed from the parking spot at 12:22 p.m. Protesters cheered when the tow truck moved the red Jeep, and some sang the chorus from “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.”
Hundreds attended the “No Kings” protest in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. It was one of more than 2,600 “No Kings” protests scheduled across the nation on Saturday.
Freeland resident John Harkin went the city police station to file report. He described the man who flashed the gun as a “fat, middle-age man.”
“We were marching peacefully along the street. Up rolls a Jeep with Trump flags. Man, we started hooting and hollering a little bit. Next thing you know, he starts flashing the gun. I told them put the gun down and fight like a man,” Harkin said. “Of course, he kept flashing his gun because, you know, being the tough guy that he was. And immediately police were called in and took care of the situation. They took him into custody.”
Fred Willauer, a resident of Sweet Valley, said he saw the man get arrested after he pointed a gun at people on the Square.
“I saw somebody pulling the gun out of the Jeep and pointing it at people going by” Willauer said.
Republicans have been calling the “No Kings” protests “hate America” rallies.
“As we can see, the violent left is not causing any issues today, except we have a MAGA Trump supporter pulling out a gun. What more can you say,” Harkin said.
Many protesters in Wilkes-Barre held signs denouncing Trump and his administration’s policies. Some waved American flags, and other came wearing costumes.
The bulk of the crowd gathered around the stage on the Square to hear speakers. State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, fired up the crowd with his speech.
“Our freedoms are in jeopardy,” Pashinski said. “We don’t want a dictator. No kings! No kings! Of, by and the for the people!”
Calls to Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown and police Chief Joseph Coffay seeking comment and information about the man arrested were not immediately returned.
Action Together NEPA Executive Director Alisha Hoffman Minlovich kicks off the sppeches during the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Protestors hold signs during the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
People register at the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
The likeness of President George Washington carries a ‘No Kings in America’ sign during the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Protestros carry signs during the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hundreds protest on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre during the No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hundreds protest on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre during the No Kings rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Lynn Yonushka, of Wyoming, center, joins others in the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
(Michael P. Buffer)
A man in this red Jeep allegedly pointed a gun a “No Kings” protesters at Saturday’s event on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. The man was arrested, and the Jeep was towed from the Square.
A red Jeep is towed after man was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at “No Kings” protesters on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. (Michael P. Buffer)
Police are on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre after a man who was the red Jeep, left, was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at attendees of the No King’s protest on Saturday. (Michael P. Buffer)
Protesters at the “No Kings” event in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. (Michael P. Buffer)
Sweet Valley resident Fred Willauer, right, said he saw a man point a gun at “No Kings” protesters in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday. (Michael P. Buffer)
(Michael P. Buffer)
Freeland resident John Harkin leaves the Wilkes-Barre police station after filing a witness report about a man who flashed a gun at “No Kings” protesters in Wilkes-Barre on Saturday.
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Action Together NEPA Executive Director Alisha Hoffman Minlovich kicks off the sppeches during the No Kings rally on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. BILL TARUTIS / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Originally Published: October 18, 2025 at 2:19 PM EDT