ELY - A 57-year-old Ely man has been charged in state district court after admitting to police that he pointed a shotgun at another man after he was awoken by a man mowing a lawn across the street at a time he thought was too early in the morning.
James Brobin was arrested after a victim and another witness said Brobin raised a shotgun at the man mowing grass on the corner of Central Avenue and East Harvey Street just before the Fourth of July holiday.
A complaint filed with district court last week said Brobin “put his head down and stated, ‘It was me,’” after police confronted him at his residence.
Jason Carlson told Ely police that Brobin came within about 20 yards of him and raised the gun for about 20 seconds. Carlson said he and his brother began cutting grass at a residence at about 7 a.m.
After he lowered the gun, the complaint said, Brobin “made a slashing motion across his neck with his right hand.” He then walked back across the street and into his home, the complaint said.
Officers made contact with Brobin within 15 minutes of the incident when he admitted “he was awoken by someone cutting grass and he became angry,” the complaint said.
Brobin faces two charges, including threats of violence, a felony, and intentionally pointing a gun at another, a misdemeanor. He faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for the felony. Brobin no longer is in custody after paying $5,000 in bail. He next appears in court at 9:30 a.m. July 20 in Virginia.
