Former Tarentum councilman accused of pistol-whipping man, claims self-defense
A former Tarentum councilman is accused of pistol-whipping a man during an altercation in Forest County, according to state police.
State police arrested Thomas Andrew Grates Jr., 52, of Tarentum, at a camp in Kingsley Township on Friday.
On Monday, Grates said he had been defending himself and denied using a gun.
A criminal complaint filed in the case said the alleged victim told officers he had been in an argument with Grates that turned physical.
The alleged victim said Grates hit him in the face with a firearm that Grates took out of his right back pocket, causing a large cut, the complaint said. Grates then held the gun to the alleged victim’s head and pushed him to the ground, according to the complaint.
Troopers said they found and arrested Grates at a camp where he was staying. Police said they found a handgun in Grates’ right back pocket upon searching him.
Grates told police that he and the alleged victim had met to “handle it like men” after arguing, the complaint said. Grates admitted to hitting the other man in the head with an object, but told officers the object could have been “a gun, a rock or my fist,” the complaint quoted him as saying. Grates then refused to comment further.
When contacted Monday for comment, Grates said, “It was all self-defense.”
He said no weapon was involved.
Grates said he challenged police to test his gun for the victim’s DNA.
“I have a permit to carry. I always carry a gun,” he said. “I did not use a gun.”
Grates was a Republican candidate for a 1st Ward seat on Tarentum Council in November. He lost to incumbent Democrat Erika Josefoski. He previously had been appointed and served two years on council.
State police charged Grates with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment, making terroristic threats and harassment.
Court records show Grates was arraigned Friday and released on nonmonetary bail on the condition he have no contact with the victim. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 21.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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