Uber driver charged with pulling gun on passenger in Bradenton

MANATEE -- An Uber driver was arrested in Bradenton after he pulled a gun on a passenger who asked the driver to pull over so he could vomit, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Patrick McDonald, 67, picked up the victim and at least one other passenger from downtown Bradenton at 8:10 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report. Uber is a ride-request service where passengers can request drivers through a smartphone application.

On the way to the victim's home, the victim told the driver he didn't feel well and asked him to pull over in case he needed to vomit.

McDonald pulled the car over, and the victim then said he was OK and didn't need to throw up, deputies said. McDonald told the victim he needed to get out of the vehicle, because he wasn't going to throw up in McDonald's $75,000 car.

McDonald got out of the car and opened the rear driver's side door, pulling on the victim's left arm in an attempt to get him out of the car, according to the report. The victim told McDonald he would get out of the car and he didn't need to get physical.

The two started arguing while standing outside the vehicle, and the victim said McDonald assumed an "aggressive fighting stance" when McDonald reached into the driver's side and pulled a semi-automatic handgun out of the car. The victim and witnesses said McDonald pointed the gun at the victim and said he wasn't afraid of him because he had a gun.

McDonald told deputies that he only grabbed the gun out of fear for his life because the passengers were making threats.

McDonald was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery. He was released from the Manatee County jail Saturday on bonds totaling $2,500.

Uber spokesman Bill Gibbons said McDonald's account has been deactivated for now as the company gathers facts about the incident.

"We stand ready to provide law enforcement with any information that would be helpful to their investigation into this matter," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said McDonald started working as an Uber driver in mid-January.