A 69-year-old man from Missouri was arrested this week after allegedly pulling a gun on a group of teens who were trying to jump-start a car in his driveway. The incident escalated when Gerald Haas, who owns the property, confronted the teens and fired a shot before retreating into his home. He now faces felony charges for unlawful use of a weapon.
The Incident
On Monday, July 14, around 6:15 p.m., a group of teens, including one adult, stopped at Haas’ home on East 47th Street in Kansas City after their car broke down. One of them had come to assist by jump-starting the vehicle in the driveway.
However, Haas was reportedly not happy about the situation. According to the probable cause statement, Haas demanded they push their vehicles off his driveway, which led to a confrontation.
The Argument Escalates
According to Haas, a neighbor came out of their house during the argument and threatened him with a wooden board, saying something aggressive. Haas claimed that the neighbor also mentioned having a gun before throwing the board at him.
In response, Haas went inside his home, retrieved his .38 caliber revolver, and returned to the scene, where he fired one round into the ground behind the neighbor.
However, the teens involved in the incident described a different version of events. They stated that Haas came outside with a gun, pointed it at one of the teens, and shouted, “If you don’t get out of my driveway, I’m gonna shoot y’all.” At that point, the group quickly attempted to leave the area, prompting a neighbor to intervene.
Neighbor’s Role in the Incident
According to police reports, the neighbor attempted to calm the situation, telling Haas to leave the teens alone. This led to a physical exchange, with the neighbor throwing a wooden plank at Haas, though missing. It was after this that Haas allegedly fired the round into the air. No injuries were reported.
Legal Consequences for Haas
Gerald Haas now faces two charges: felony unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm, a misdemeanor. He was arrested and booked at the Jackson County Detention Center with a $5,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 23.
This tense incident serves as a reminder of how quickly situations can escalate when emotions run high, and the consequences of using a firearm in such confrontations can be serious.
Haas’ actions, which involved brandishing a weapon and firing a shot, have led to criminal charges and will likely result in legal consequences as the case moves forward.
