Man who threatened EMTs, officer with bayonet pleads guilty

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Bodily Assault Log

Man who threatened EMTs, officer with bayonet pleads guilty - Shamokin, Pennsylvania

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A Shamokin man, who threatened an officer and ambulance personnel with a bayonet and what initially appeared to be a large-caliber handgun later determined to be a BB gun, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense Tuesday and was ordered to pay a fine and costs, while five additional charges were withdrawn.

John R. Nahodil, 47, of 110 S. Market St., Apt. 1, who has a history of mental problems, pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge that was added to the original criminal complaint and was ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to pay a fine and costs totaling $183.50. Two counts of aggravated assault, which is a felony offense, two counts of simple assault and one count of terroristic threats were withdrawn.

Nahodil, who was given credit for 45 days served in Northumberland County Prison, was released from jail following his guilty plea.

The charges were filed by Shamokin Cpl. John Brown in connection with disturbances that occurred Feb. 4 at Nahodil’s apartment. The incidents began shortly after 6:30 a.m. when medical personnel from Area Services Ambulance responded to the apartment to assist Nahodil with a groin injury.

Paramedics Nicole Baker, 21, of Elysburg, and Lou Ebersole, of Shamokin, were dispatched to the apartment building at 6:39 a.m. to treat Nahodil.

According to Baker, Nahodil started “flipping out” when he left the apartment building and took a swing at her, but missed. Baker said Nahodil, who refused to be treated or enter the ambulance, then ran back upstairs to his apartment.

Baker explained that when someone refuses to be treated, ambulance personnel must get them to sign a release form. After summoning police, Baker and Ebersole entered the apartment building with Brown in hopes of getting Nahodil to sign the release form. It was then the situation became precarious when, upon walking into Nahodil’s living room, Brown, Baker and Ebersole discovered the defendant sitting in a chair holding a foot-long military bayonet.

Police said Nahodil was yelling, “I am going to die and I am going to take one of you with me.”

Brown, who at this point radioed for assistance, then began to move Baker and Ebersole out of the apartment, but while they were leaving, Nahodil continued to yell that he wanted to die and was going to take someone with him. Police said Nahodil then jumped out of his chair, ran to an end table, grabbed what appeared to be a large caliber revolver and threatened to kill Brown.

Patrolman Bryan Primerano responded to the scene and secured the apartment with Brown until additional officers arrived, including Chief of Police Richard Nichols, Detective Robert John, Patrolman Darwin Tobias III, Patrolman Scott Weaver and Coal Township Patrolmen Jeff Brennan and Henry Schrader.
Officers attempted to make contact with Nahodil several times, but were unsuccessful. A few moments later, Nahodil’s mother, who lives with the suspect, came out of the apartment and advised police he was not coming out and had a handgun in his possession that he uses for hunting.

After donning riot gear, including protective shields and helmets, police surrounded the perimeter of the apartment building before converging on Nahodil’s apartment with guns drawn.

Upon entering the apartment, officers discovered Nahodil sitting in a chair with the pistol in one hand and the bayonet in the other. Nichols began to talk with Nahodil, who once again said he was going to die and take someone with him.
Police cautiously approached Nahodil while remaining behind a ballistic shield, and Nichols was subsequently able to take the gun from him, while Tobias was able to grab the bayonet.

Police said Nahodil became combative as officers wrestled him to the floor and handcuffed him.

It was later discovered the weapon Nahodil was holding was actually a loaded Crossman CO2 pellet gun that looks similar to a .357 or .38 caliber handgun.

Mar 31, 2005, 22:11

Times Shamrock

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