Man arrested for BB gun threat
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | April 23, 2021 1:00 AM
HAYDEN — Police arrested a man who they said threatened to blow another person’s head off during a dispute about money.
Clifton A. Harris, 34, of Hayden, is charged with aggravated assault, a felony. Prosecutors also filed a habitual offender enhancement.
Police responded around 4:30 p.m. to a report of a dispute at a Hayden mobile home community.
Stephen Allured told police he arrived at the residence during an unrelated argument between Harris and another household member. He and Harris had a previous conflict, he said, because Harris owed Allured money.
Allured said he was standing outside the residence and threatening to take Harris’s car as collateral against his debt when Harris walked outside with a handgun.
Harris allegedly pointed the gun at Allured and said, “I will blow your f—ing head off.”
Allured said he challenged Harris to pull the trigger, which Harris did not do. Allured then reportedly left the scene on foot and waited for law enforcement to arrive.
When contacted by police, Harris said that no firearm was involved in the altercation. Rather, he pointed a BB gun at Allured. The BB gun reportedly had a simulation slide that made it feel and sound like a real pistol when charged.
Harris told police Allured had entered the residence and threatened to beat him up. After Allured went back outside, Harris said he retrieved his BB gun.
When he exited the residence, Harris said Allured was threatening to slash his tires.
Harris allegedly said he threatened to shoot Allured but only pointed the BB gun at the ground.
A woman who identified herself as Harris’s wife told police Allured threatened her and advanced toward her in a way that frightened her before Harris threatened to shoot him.
Police arrested Harris at the scene and cited Allured for assault, a misdemeanor.
Judge Ross Pittman ordered Wednesday that Harris be held on $15,000 bail. He also issued a no contact order between Harris and Allured.
Harris has been convicted of burglary twice, in Pend Oreille County, Washington, in 2006 and in Bonner County in 2008.
He was also convicted of possession of stolen property in Whatcom County, Washington, in 2007 and in Bonner County in 2010.
All four convictions were felonies.
In Idaho, a third felony conviction is punishable by a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison.
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