Woman points pistol at S.C. congressman Trey Gowdy in church lot

A 52-year-old Georgia woman was being held Monday on charges that she unlawfully pointed a pistol at a South Carolina congressman, a congressional spokesman said.

The woman, Gloria Yvonne Brackett, was arrested Sunday and was denied bond in Spartanburg, S.C., on Monday, said Josh Dix, a spokesman for Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy. Brackett is facing two counts, including pointing the weapon and unlawfully carrying the pistol, Dix said in a telephone interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Gowdy was picking up his daughter from church when he was confronted by Brackett, who was visiting her family in the Spartanburg area, Dix said. Gowdy had never seen the woman before nor has there been any contact between her and Gowdy’s office, Dix said.

“Mr. Gowdy is grateful to the Spartanburg Public Safety Department for their help last night and especially for helping make sure his daughter was safe,” Dix said.

The incident was first reported by Politico. It cited a police report that the suspect pointed a gun in Gowdy’s direction and told him to “stop following her” while he was waiting for his daughter in the church parking lot. The congressman, after another encounter, reportedly put his car in reverse as the suspect tried to chase him on foot.

Gowdy reported the incident to police and was escorted back to pick up his daughter, according to the report.

ALSO:

Police: Texas man killed teen before she could testify to rape

World Trade Center: Slow, steady progress at 11th 9/11 anniversary

FBI arrests Trenton Mayor Tony Mack (a.k.a. Napoleon) in corruption probe

Join Michael on Google+. Email: michael.muskal@latimes.com