Left: The Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (Google Maps). Right: Sean Steiner (Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office).
Identified as Sean Steiner, a 36-year-old from Arizona, he now faces several felony firearm charges following his arrest by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on March 29. According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime, Steiner possessed an “AR-7 Industries Joker Rifle” which was painted to mimic a toy gun, as stated by the LA County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities reported that Steiner’s possession extended beyond the “assault weapon” to include two loaded handguns, magazines with “large-capacity,” additional ammunition, and “rifle-rated body armor” which he wore that day. His gear also included gloves, a duffle bag, and a step stool.
A press release from the sheriff’s office, shared on Facebook, highlighted that “the rifle itself stood out,” being decorated in green and purple with phrases from the movie “The Dark Knight,” where Heath Ledger famously portrayed the Joker.
The incident unfolded when a “concerned citizen” noticed Steiner in the area near the Trump golf course and alerted the authorities. He was allegedly observed hiking on nearby trails and darting through traffic on Palos Verdes Drive South, close to the golf course, as per the sheriff’s office.
A “concerned citizen” spotted Steiner walking in an area near the Trump golf course and notified authorities, according to police. Steiner was allegedly seen hiking through nearby trails and running through traffic on Palos Verdes Drive South near the Trump golf course, per the sheriff’s office.
Prosecutors confirm in the complaint that Steiner was carrying the loaded firearms “in a public place and on a public street.” He is allegedly not the registered owner of the weapons, according to the complaint.
“[Steiner] admitted he … fired one of the pistols near the landslide area to ‘get some anger out,’” the sheriff’s office said in its press release. “Let that sink in.”
Steiner is currently out on bond.
