Cape police arrest man over gun incident at downtown bar

Police arrested a man in the early Friday for allegedly revealing a gun to patrons of a downtown Cape Girardeau bar.

Around 1 a.m., police responded to Ragsdale's at Broadway and Main Street for a reported firearms violation, according to a probable-cause statement by patrolman Mark Wyatt.

Michael C. Goodell, 33, of 11 Rivercrest Drive, No. 201, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to witnesses, Goodell allegedly became embroiled in a verbal argument with some other men at the bar when they asked him to leave their female friends alone. Cooler heads prevailed, and everyone shook hands and calmed down.

Then Goodell allegedly left the bar and went to his vehicle to retrieve something. When he returned, one of the women jokingly grabbed at his waist, asking him what he went to the car to get, the statement said. When she did so, she allegedly felt the gun in his waistband.

The two women retreated behind the bar and hid while their friends allegedly chased Goodell from the premises.

Goodell told police he had gone to his car to retrieve his credit card. He said when he re-entered the bar, several men confronted him and followed him outside amid threats.

Then, he told police, he returned to his car and retrieved a loaded .40-caliber handgun. He showed it to his opponents but never pointed it at anyone, he said.

Goodell was still in custody Friday night. His bond was set at $10,000.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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