×

NU man faces felony threats of violence charge

NEW ULM — A 72-year-old New Ulm man faces a felony threats of violence charge after a Sunday afternoon neighborhood dispute on North Payne Street.

The charge was filed in Brown County District Court Monday against Gary A. Wendinger, 1119 Payne St. N. Held in the Brown County Jail, his bail hearing was set for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 4.

According to court documents, New Ulm Police were dispatched to North Payne Street at 5:47 p.m. Sunday for a reported dispute between neighbors involving a firearm that one of the individuals had and that he had threatened to use it.

At the residence, police contacted Wendinger who was very upset. It was determined that he no longer was in possession of the firearm. Wendinger told police he was in his garage, neighbors were staring at him, he asked them to stop, but an argument occurred.

Wendinger got his gun case with a handgun inside and confronted neighbors while holding the gun case. Wendinger said he never took the gun out of the case and that it was not loaded. He said neighbors threatened him by saying he committed a felony and that if he got in their face, they would take care of him.

Wendinger told police he did not intend to harm the neighbors unless they intended to hurt him. He offered to show his guns, that he owns several. Wendinger told police he was asked why he had the gun and he stated “maybe to take care of people like you.”

Police talked to an individual who said there was a long-standing feud between his family and Wendinger, that he and some friends were outside talking and Wendinger began yelling about people staring at him.

The individual said he told Wendinger no one was staring at him, Wendinger became more upset and an argument escalated in which Wendinger was calling people derogatory names. The individual said the parties separated and Wendinger went back into his house.

The individual said a short time later, Wendinger came out of the house with a gun case in his hand and a second individual approached Wendinger in the alley and a verbal argument began. The individual said Wendinger said there was a gun in the case and that he would “blow you away like a cloud of smoke,” then set the gun down and got into the second individual’s face.

Police talked to a third person who said they witnessed the incident and that he had a video of Wendinger with a gun case in his hand. Police viewed the video that showed Wendinger with a gun case, later setting it down and arguing with the second individual.

Police talked to a fourth individual who said he viewed the video the third individual took and talked to Wendinger about it. The fourth individual said he confronted Wendinger about being on his property while making threats to others involved. The fourth individual said he told Wendinger that his actions caused him to commit a felony offense, then Wendinger got into his face before walking back to his residence.

Police talked to a fifth individual who said she asked Wendinger if he had a gun and Wendinger said that he did. The fifth individual said she asked him why and he pointed it at her and said “for people like you.”

Wendinger was arrested for a threats of violence. Police viewed, inspected, and seized a Smith and Wesson SD9 VE handgun in Wendinger’s residence.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper?
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today