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SWAT Team Deescalates Pickaxe Situation
A neighborly dispute, unfortunately, resulted in a SWAT standoff after things got heated over the weekend of April 21st and 22nd in a North Las Vegas residence. According to reports, police were called out to the 11 block of Stone River Driver at around 10 P.M. on Saturday night. Worried witnesses said they saw two neighbors get into a physical altercation before one of the 51-year-old men was seen carrying a pickaxe.
When police arrived at the scene, the suspect carrying the pickaxe retreated into his home. He refused to come out of the house or negotiate with officers from the North Las Vegas Police Department, so the SWAT team was called out to the scene to help de-escalate things.
It took about five and a half hours of back-and-forth negotiating before the suspect emerged from his home. The suspect was identified as 51-year-old Efrain Chavarin. He was taken into custody at around 3:30 A.M. on Sunday and was brought to the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center. Currently, he’s being held on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of an ongoing investigation.
This investigation is ongoing. It remains unclear what started the neighborhood argument or why the suspect decided to barricade himself in his home. The other resident involved in the alleged dispute explained to police that he believed Chavarin grabbed the pickaxe to intentionally scare and terrorize him. The other involved neighborhood resident said they were frightened over the whole ordeal.
When Neighbors Cross the Line
It’s normal for neighbors to have minor disputes or disagreements because living in close proximity to one another can inevitably mean that your actions impact your neighbors, too. That said, it’s never okay for a neighbor to intimidate, harass, threaten, verbally assault, or physically force you in any way. These types of behaviors are often considered criminal offenses.
What’s more, grabbing something like a pickaxe can quickly cause a seemingly minor situation to escalate into a traumatizing event. Criminal justice isn’t the only recourse available to neighbors who believe they’ve been harmed by a neighbor’s unacceptable behavior.
If your neighbors’ actions resulted in physical harm, property damage, or emotional distress, then you could have recourse through the civil justice system.
Neighbors who are harmed by someone else’s negligence, reckless behavior, or criminal actions have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. If you can prove that your neighbor caused you physical harm, emotional distress, or property damage, then you’ll be eligible to receive financial compensation that helps you cover the extent of your losses.
Depending on the extent of the situation, your payout could be significant. You’ll want to speak with a personal injury attorney in Las Vegas to properly value the extent of your claim and losses. In general, you’ll only have one opportunity to file a claim that covers all your short and long-term losses.
If you’re in Las Vegas or a nearby area and you’re ready to talk to an attorney, then schedule a meeting with our legal advocates now to get started.
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