Employee Arrested After Allegedly Pulling Gun on Customer at...

HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS – [LATEST DETAILS] – According to report file in Barnstable District Court by Patrolman Nicholas Stoner of the Barnstable Police Department, on April 1, 2026, at around 4:37 p.m., officers were dispatched to Advanced Auto Parts at 306 Falmouth Road (Route 28) for a customer reporting that an employee had just pulled a firearm and pointed it at him. The firearm was described to dispatchers as a black handgun with a flashlight mounted on the front of it.

Patrolman Stoner’s report continues as follows:

“Upon arrival, Sgt. Blondin was on scene and was making contact with the suspect, Jason BASSETT. Sgt. Blondin was instructing BASSETT to keep his hands where we could see them. We then asked where the firearm was located, to which he responded that it was on his right hip in a holster. BASSETT maintained being cooperative and we retrieved the firearm without incident, a black Glock 43X with a flashlight. Ptl. Cleary was able to secure, clear and later transport the firearm. While officers Roy and Sgt. Blondin stood by with BASSETT, I went outside to speak with the victim Arkey BROWN.

BROWN stated he went into the store to purchase a few items for his vehicle and was waiting approximately 20 minutes to check out of the store and pay for the items. During this time he did not see staff and decided to walk in the back to attempt to locate any member of the staff to make his purchase. BROWN located BASSETT in the rear of the store assisting another customer. BASSETT explained to BROWN that he would be helped shortly and to remain waiting in the front of the store. BROWN stated after an additional amount of time went by, BROWN went back to where BASSETT was in the store and explained to him that he still has not been helped. The two began to argue and BROWN was told to leave the store. BROWN then began walking toward the front of the store. When BROWN got outside the front of the store he made a comment about BASSETT’s weight which BROWN admitted to doing so multiple time throughout the conversation. BROWN observed BASSETT draw his firearm, where it was holstered on his right hip and point it at him. I asked BROWN if anything had become physical at any point between the males to which he stated that it did not. BROWN then called 911.

I then went back into the store to speak with BASSETT. BASSETT had a very similar recall of events as BROWN and certainly acknowledged drawing and pointing his firearm at BROWN during this interaction. BASSETT explained that BROWN followed him back into the store going to and from the front door as they were exchanging words in their argument. BASSETT explained that he was “swung” at by BROWN (Note: BASSETT stated that one of these times the front door to the business was only slightly ajar so the swing missed connecting with BASSETT) and that he was in fear of BROWN. BASSETT stated that he was attacked by BROWN however did not state any of the times that BROWN took a “swing” that it got physical.

I spoke with a witness […], who stated that he was inside the store waiting as well but did not see the firearm and only saw the argument between the [two] he described as BROWN and BASSETT.

Lieutenant Labor stated that he spoke with the store manager […], who stated that the store did not have any security cameras inside or outside the store.”

Jason Bassett, 50, of Harwich was then reportedly placed under arrest for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (a firearm). Bassett was handcuffed and transported back to Barnstable Police Headquarters for booking.

Officers then seized Bassett’s License to Carry Firearms, his handgun, and ammunition. Harwich Police, the agency that issued Bassett’s LTC, was contacted. A letter of firearm license suspension from Harwich Police was emailed to Barnstable Police and eventually given to Bassett.

Patrolman Stoner’s report concluded with the following:

“Upon bail, BASSETT is to report to Harwich Police Department for firearms seizure. Upon bail, an additional firearm is to be seized by the Barnstable Police Department, secured in a lockbox in the rear of BASSETT’s vehicle.

BASSETT was arrested and booked on the following charge: M.G.L. c.265 s.15B Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.”

Advance Auto Parts sent the following statement to Hyannis News this morning in an email:

“We are aware of this incident and treat it seriously. The safety of our customers and team members is our highest priority, and we are grateful there were no injuries. The team member was in clear violation of our policies and is no longer with the company. We are cooperating with law enforcement as they investigate.”

~ a senior Advanced Auto Parts spokesperson stated…

* HN Reminder: The details contained in the above report are based on radio transmissions, information from police sources, and official charging documents filed in Barnstable District Court. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The following Hyannis News video shows officers investigating the scene and arresting Bassett just moments after the initial 911 call.

[HN VIDEO – PRESS PLAY]