Crime & Safety

Police Say Jessie Avenue Tenant Pointed Gun at Neighbor's Head

Ronald Lee Neville, 46, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and negligent discharge of a firearm.

A La Mesa man was in custody Wednesday after he allegedly threatened his 33-year-old neighbor with a pistol following an argument between the two men.

Ronald Lee Neville, 46, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and negligent discharge of a firearm, according to La Mesa police Sgt. Bret Richards.

Around 9:30 p.m., officers received reports of a man brandishing a handgun and gunfire being heard at an apartment complex in the 4700 block of Jessie Avenue. Once there, they were directed to Neville's apartment by witnesses, Richards said in a statement.

Officers made a phone call to Neville and he surrendered without further incident, the sergeant said.

According to witnesses and the victim, Neville went to his neighbor's apartment and pointed a .38-caliber revolver at the victim's head, Richards said. He then allegedly threatened to shoot the neighbor if he did anything.

Neville fled back to his apartment following the threat and while trying to de-cock his revolver, he accidentally fired a round into a speaker stand in his living room, Richards said. No one was hurt.

Police did not immediately disclose the nature of the argument between the two men, but CBS8 reported the argument was over smoking at the apartment complex.

Neville is being held at San Diego Central Jail on $50,000 bail with an arraignment set for 1:30 p.m. Friday at El Cajon Superior Court. 

—City News Service contributed to this report


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