An argument between roommates in Denton, Texas turned physical on November 19. The totality of the incident spanned 17 hours with one roommate being held at gunpoint after attempting to attack the other with a hammer according to the Denton Record-Chronicle.
Argument leads to assault
Chad Knapp, 31, shared an apartment with an unnamed 23-year-old woman. The two had been arguing for several hours in which time Knapp had broken numerous items inside the dwelling.
Knapp left the apartment at around 3 AM after stealing some of his roommate's Adderall pills, which were prescribed by her doctor. The woman said Knapp exited by climbing out of a window and that she followed him to the parking lot.
Knapp was inside of his vehicle, with the window rolled down, continuing the argument with his roommate. She attempted to grab her stolen pills from inside Knapp's vehicle when, according to Denton police spokesman Shane Kizer, Knapp, "pushed her so hard that she was thrown backward into a brick wall."
Knapp then engaged his vehicle and began to drive away. Another resident of the apartment community, a female, witnessed the altercation and responded to Knapp's assault by jumping on the hood of his moving vehicle.
Rather than stop Knapp continued to drive and the female resident was thrown to the ground after Knapp rounded a corner at a high rate of speed.
The female roommate called the police to report the incident and she was taken to a nearby hospital for her injuries. She was treated for numerous bruises and abrasions. The responding officers noticed the female roommate had bruises which were "consistent with someone grabbing her." The injuries of the second female witness are not known.
An angry armed stepfather pulls a gun
After being released from the hospital, at a time unknown, the female roommate went back to her apartment with her stepfather as she was fearful for her safety. While outside of the apartment Knapp approached the roommate and her step-father.
Knapp was holding a hammer and was shouting expletives.
The roommate's stepfather quickly drew a pistol and pointed it at Knapp demanding he put down the hammer. Knapp complied and was held at gunpoint until police arrived at the scene. The roommate's stepfather was licensed to carry a concealed weapon.
Knapp denied having assaulted his roommate and claimed he was the victim of being threatened with a gun for no reason. Police did not believe Knapp's story and he was arrested and charged with assault causing bodily injury and deadly conduct. This incident is described as defensive gun-use by citizens who prevent further crimes from occurring.
The penalties for the crime
Texas penal code defines "assault" under Sec. 22.01 which states, "A person commits an offense if the person: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse." Texas Penal code defines "deadly conduct" under Sec. 22.05 which states, "A person commits an offense if he recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury." Both charges are Class A misdemeanors. Texas penal code Sec.12.21 allows a sentence of up to 1 year in jail, a $4,000 fine, or both for Class A Misdemeanors. Knapp's previous criminal history is not known.