Paducah man arrested after police say he pointed rifle, yelled racial slurs

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – A Paducah man faces charges after police say he pointed a rifle at a passerby and yelled racial slurs.

James R. Loe, 53, faces charges of first-degree wanton endangerment and menacing.

A woman told police she was walking her dogs on Saturday, July 15 around 7:49 a.m. in the 1200 block of North 14th Street, Paducah when a man began yelling racial slurs from across the street regarding people he believed had stolen his Confederate flag, according to the Paducah Police Department.

She said he left, but returned with a rifle and continued to yell various insults regarding black people. She told police he pointed the gun at her from his hip.

Officers found James R. Loe in the 1300 block of North 14th Street.

Loe first denied owning a rifle, but did admit making racial statements regarding the people he believed stole his flags, according to police.

He then said he went home to get his gun after the caller threatened to kill him,

Loe allowed officers to search his home, where they found the rifle.

Loe was arrested and booked into McCracken County Regional Jail.