Mom Pulls Gun on Children’s Store Workers During Shocking Dispute (Video)

An Indianapolis mother is facing two felony charges after police say a routine disagreement inside a children’s resale store escalated into a frightening confrontation involving a handgun.

Tamya Staten, 21, was charged this week in Marion County with intimidation with a deadly weapon and pointing a firearm at another person following an incident at a Once Upon a Child store on West 86th Street.

The confrontation happened July 16 while Staten was inside the store with her toddler, according to court records described by local media.

Staten had reportedly gone to the store to sell children’s clothing and provided identification to employees as part of the resale process.

While she was handling the transaction, an employee noticed her child riding around on a small motorized toy car.

The worker told Staten that store policy did not allow children to play with the merchandise.

According to the allegations, Staten initially acknowledged the rule but continued allowing her child to use the toy.

When an employee reminded her again, police say the situation quickly escalated.

Court documents allege Staten pulled a large black handgun from her purse and tucked it into her leggings.

She then allegedly confronted the employee, poked the worker in the face with her finger and made threatening comments.

“We can fight about it. We can get down,” Staten allegedly said.

She is also accused of telling the employee, “I can use this,” while referring to the gun.

Authorities say the confrontation became even more serious when Staten allegedly pulled the handgun back out and pointed it in the direction of store employees.

Surveillance footage reportedly captured much of the incident.

Police say Staten then continued allowing her toddler to play with the toy before eventually putting the gun away, picking up her child and leaving the store.

An employee had already activated a silent holdup alarm.

By the time Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers arrived, Staten had reportedly left the area.

Investigators were still able to identify her using several pieces of evidence.

Surveillance cameras allegedly captured her leaving in a 2011 Jeep Patriot, allowing detectives to obtain the vehicle’s license plate number.

Police also had the identification Staten had provided to store employees while attempting to sell clothing.

More than two months later, prosecutors formally filed charges.

Staten was charged Sept. 29 with intimidation with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony, and pointing a firearm at another person, a Level 6 felony.

Court records showed that an arrest warrant had been issued after the charges were filed.

If convicted on both counts and given consecutive maximum sentences, Staten could face up to eight and a half years in prison.

No one was reported injured during the confrontation, and no shots were fired.