A 69-year-old man in Missouri has been arrested for allegedly pulling a .38 caliber revolver on a group of teens who were attempting to jump-start a car in his driveway.
The incident, which took place on July 14, 2023, led to the man firing a shot after threatening to shoot the teens, according to police.
The Incident in the Driveway
Gerald Haas, a resident of the 9500 block of East 47th Street in Kansas City, is accused of confronting three teens and one adult who had stopped at his home to assist with a car that had broken down. The group had parked in Haas’ driveway while trying to jump-start the vehicle when Haas allegedly approached them, demanding that they leave.
According to the probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, Haas told the group, “If you don’t get out … I’m gonna shoot y’all.”
Moments later, he pulled out a .38 revolver and fired a round into the air before returning to his house. The group, understandably frightened, scattered and fled the scene, according to witnesses.
Haas’ Version of Events
Haas explained to police that he had asked the teens to move their cars off his driveway, but things escalated when a neighbor got involved.
He claimed that the neighbor threatened him with a wooden board, and after a verbal exchange, the neighbor allegedly threw the board at him, which missed. In response, Haas said he retrieved his firearm and fired a shot into the ground near the neighbor’s head.
However, the teens involved in the incident told a different story. They stated that Haas had come outside, waved the gun around, and then pointed it directly at one of them. They said he shouted, “If you don’t get out of my driveway, I’m gonna shoot y’all.” Fearing for their safety, the group quickly attempted to leave the area.
The Neighbor’s Role
The situation became even more complicated when the neighbor tried to intervene. According to the teens, the neighbor came out of his house with a “firewood brick thing” and told Haas to leave the kids alone, insisting they were just trying to help.
The confrontation escalated when the neighbor allegedly threw the wooden board at Haas. This prompted Haas to fire his weapon into the ground.
Legal Charges and Arrest
Haas was charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon and misdemeanor unlawful discharge of a firearm. He was booked into the Jackson County Detention Center with a $5,000 bond. His next court date is set for July 23, 2023.
A Dangerous Confrontation
This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a simple situation can escalate into a dangerous confrontation. Fortunately, no one was injured, but Haas now faces serious charges for his actions. The case is under investigation, and the final outcome will depend on further legal proceedings.
