Authorities in Ames have arrested a man accused of threatening partygoers with a handgun.
According to Ames Police Major Jason Tuttle, officers were called to the 100 block of Campus Avenue at approximately 10:25 p.m. Friday on a report of a male pointing a gun at a female. The male, later identified as 21-year-old Donovan Prusia of Omaha, Nebraska, reportedly became agitated during the course of a party happening inside an apartment building.
Prusia and the female, identified as his girlfriend, were in the apartment building hallway when police arrived at the scene. “There was a gathering at the building, with about 30 people present,” Tuttle explained. “[Prusia] got upset during the party and basically waved his gun around, pointing it at people and threatening them. The female got him out in the hallway to get him away from everyone else.
“At one point while they were talking, [Prusia] threw the gun down on the floor. The officers were down the hallway and could see this happening.”
According to Tuttle, Prusia then ignored the officers’ orders and retrieved the handgun. “As [officers] approached him, giving him commands, he actually picked up the gun,” Tuttle stated. “That was a deadly force situation. They very clearly told him not to pick up the gun and to show his hands.
“Thankfully, the officers were calm and calculated, and they were able to use good de-escalation skills. He listened to the officers and put the gun back down. They were able to take him into custody at that point.”
Tuttle told StoryCounty.News that after Prusia dropped the gun for the second time, he physically resisted the arresting officers, who had to push him against a wall in order to place him in handcuffs.
Prusia was charged with the following:
- Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, a class “D” felony
- First-Degree Harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor (three counts)
- Assault While Displaying a Dangerous Weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor
- False Imprisonment, a serious misdemeanor
- Carrying Dangerous Weapons While Intoxicated, a serious misdemeanor
- Interference With Official Acts, a serious misdemeanor
- Harassment of Public Official, a simple misdemeanor
Prusia was transported to the Story County Jail in Nevada, where he is being held on a total bond of $75,000. He is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on November 6 at 1:00 p.m, per online records.
No one was injured due to the incident. Tuttle confirmed that multiple witnesses observed Prusia pointing the gun and threatening others at the gathering.
Be First to Comment