HYANNIS – An employee of the Advanced Auto Parts store in Hyannis is accused of pulling a firearm on a customer Wednesday. CWN has obstained the Barnstable Police Department report on this incident:
Jason S. Bassett
Barnstable Police/CWN
Note:During the event described in this report, I was wearing my department issued body worn camera. This report serves as only a summation of facts and circumstances. Please refer to the BWC footage for any additional details.
2. Upon arrival, Sgt. Blondin was on scene and was making contact with the suspect, Jason Bassett. Sgt. Blondin was instructing Bassett to keep his hands where we could see them. We then asked where the firearm was located, to which he responded that it was on his right hip in a holster. Bassett maintained being cooperative and we retrieved the firearm without incident, a black Glock 43X with a flashlight. Ptl. Cleary was able to secure, clear and later transport the firearm. While officers Roy and Sgt. Blondin stood by with Bassett, I went outside to speak with the victim (Editor’s note: CWN does not identify victims).
3. The victim stated he went into the store to purchase a few items for his vehicle and was waiting approximately 20 minutes to check out of the store and pay for the items. During this time he did not see staff and decided to walk in the back to attempt to locate any member of the staff to make his purchase. The victim located Bassett in the rear of the store assisting another customer. Bassett explained to the victim that he would be helped shortly and to remain waiting in the front of the store. The victim stated after an additional amount of time went by, he went back to where Bassett was in the store and explained to him that he still has not been helped. The two began to argue and the victim was told to leave the store. The victim then began walking toward the front of the store. When the victim got outside the front of the store he made a comment about Bassett’s weight which the victim admitted to doing so multiple times throughout the conversation. The victim observed Bassett draw his firearm, where it was holstered on his right hip and point it at him. I asked the victim if anything had become physical at any point between the males to which he stated that it did not. The victim then called 911.
4. I then went back into the store to speak with Bassett. Bassett had a very similar recall of events as the victim and certainly acknowledged drawing and pointing his firearm at the victim during this interaction. Bassett explained that the victim followed him back into the store going to and from the front door as they were exchanging words in their argument. Bassett explained that he was “swung” at by the victim (Note: Bassett stated that one of these times the front door to the business was only slightly ajar so the swing missed connecting with Bassett) and that he was in fear of the victim. Bassett stated that he was attacked by the victim however did not state any of the times that the victim took a “swing” that it got physical.
5. I spoke with a witness, who stated that he was inside the store waiting as well but did not see the firearm and only saw the argument between the who he described as the victim and Bassett.
6. Lieutenant Laber stated that he spoke with the store manager Alan Wright, who stated that the store did not have any security cameras inside or outside the store.
7. I then informed Bassett that he would be placed under arrest for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and to place his hands behind his I back. Bassett was handcuffed behind the back, with each cuff fastened between the hand and wrist bone, double locked each cuff and checked for proper fitment so not to impede circulation. I then searched Bassett before placing him in the rear of E-215. I then transported Bassett back to the station where he was booked by Sergeant Bird.
8. Subsequently from this incident, I seized Bassett’s LTC, firearm, ammunition. Due to the LTC being issued out of the Town of Harwich and that being where Bassett resides, I contacted the firearms Sergeant at Harwich Police, Sgt. Brendan Brickley. A letter of suspension was sent to me via department email and given Basset.
9. Upon bail, Bassett is to report to Harwich Police Department for firearms seizure. Upon bail, an additional firearm is to be seized by the Barnstable Police Department, secured in a lockbox in the rear of Bassett’s
vehicle.
Bassett was arrested and booked on the following charge:
1. M.G.L. c.265 s.15B Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
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A spokesperson for Advanced Auto Parts issued the following statement: We are aware of this incident and treat it seriously. The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority, and we are grateful there were no injuries. The team member was in clear violation of our policies and is no longer with the company. We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate.
