‘I would slap the Jackson 5 out of you’ — guardsman allegedly pulled gun on fellow guardsman in DC

A member of the National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., was arrested for allegedly pulling a gun on a fellow guardsman after the two got into an argument over whether their hairstyles followed Army regulations, according to court documents filed in D.C. Superior Court. 

On Aug. 25, the guardsmen were sitting in a black van on a break from patrol when Zion Mitchell and another member of the National Guard got into an argument, according to the documents, and Mitchell allegedly pulled a gun on the other Guard member. 

“During the argument, Suspect Mitchell stated something to the effect of, “I would slap the Jackson 5 out of you,” according to the affidavit. The victim and suspect went back and forth several more times before the alleged victim told Mitchell to “shut the f— up,” court documents say.

The alleged victim said she heard a “holster click” and another witness in the van say, “Put that up. You almost shot me in the hand,” according to the documents.

A fellow guardsmen in the van “at one point, she looked up and saw Suspect Mitchell pointing his firearm in the direction of Victim 1 over Witness 1’s shoulder,” according to the court records. 

The victim said she was notified later that Mitchell allegedly drew his weapon. 

Mitchell told detectives that “he pulled a pistol magazine out of his vest pocket and pointed it at her as part of the playful banter,” according to documents.

Court records indicate Mitchell was held “due to the nature of the crimes.” He did not enter a plea at his preliminary hearing and his next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

A lawyer for Mitchell did not respond to a request for comment. The National Guard did not respond immediately to News’ request for comment.

President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to Washington as part of his “Make DC Safe and Beautiful” campaign in August 2025. After a summer surge for America’s 250th anniversary that pushed the force to roughly 5,000 guardsmen, there are currently 3,100 guardsmen deployed to D.C.