Prosecutor: Law-abiding gun owner diffuses domestic dispute between neighbors

CLARKSVILLE, IN (WAVE) – A gun owner prevented a tense situation between his neighbors from getting even more out of hand last week, according to police.

Trevor Stewart, 27, and his girlfriend got into a dispute at their home, which spilled outside into the driveway.

"They kind of wrestled and argued down the hallway a little bit," Stewart's mother, Terri, said. "And I was on the phone trying to call the police, and I was shaking real bad."

The girlfriend told WAVE 3 News she sought help from their neighbor when Stewart went after the tires on her car with a kitchen knife. The neighbor grabbed his gun and tried to diffuse the situation.

"Trevor was still over here by the car and he hadn't popped her tire yet, and this man was behind the truck with a gun pointed at my son," Terri Stewart said.

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Clark County Prosecutor Jeremy Mull said the man behind the gun was well within his rights; he claimed Trevor was approaching him with the knife. 

"In this case, it was fortunate that this individual did have his weapon on him, that he was a concealed carry permit holder and as a law-abiding citizen he was able to intervene," Mull said.

The gun owner did not want to talk to WAVE 3 News on camera.

Trevor Stewart did leave the home, according to the police report. Officers pursued him on foot and eventually found him in a swollen creek. They said he was uncooperative at first, but then came out peacefully after officers threatened to deploy a K9.

Trevor Stewart is charged with intimidation, domestic battery, strangulation, resisting law enforcement and criminal mischief. He was booked on a $7500 bond.

Terri Stewart believes the whole situation was blown out of proportion and doesn't think the charges her son face fit the crime.

"He's a good dad and he tries to be good to his girlfriend, and hopefully they will work it out and maybe they will get married and move pass this and learn from their mistakes," Terri Stewart said.

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