Bloomington police arrest Vincennes man for carrying handgun without permit

A 19-year-old man was arrested Saturday morning after Bloomington police found a loaded handgun inside his backpack.

Garris Harrison faces a preliminary charge of carrying a handgun without a permit. Harrison was booked and later released into the Monroe County Jail Saturday.

Police responded to a call at about 4:15 a.m. near the 900 block of North Maple Street regarding a disturbance, BPD Sgt. John Kovach said. Upon arrival, officers noticed four men pulled to the side of the road in a 2006 four-door Nissan.

Police approached the car to speak with the driver, who was underage, and the driver told police a couple of his friends had been involved in an altercation. Officers noticed alcohol in the driver’s compartment and searched the car.

During the search, police located a loaded Glock .44 alongside a bottle of vodka in Harrison’s backpack. Harrison could not provide a permit for the firearm and told police he was carrying it for protection as he traveled. Kovach said Harrison provided police with a Vincennes, Ind., address.

Neither the driver nor the other passengers were cited for alcohol-related offenses.

— Kirsten Clark