A man in Austin threatened a community service officer with a large tree lopper and shouted for the officer to kill him after being confronted about illegally trimming a city tree, according to the charges.
Javier Vazquez-Munoz, 57, of Austin, faces one felony count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one misdemeanor count of fourth-degree damage to property.
According to the complaint, at about 6:22 p.m. on Oct. 1, an Austin Police Department community service officer was taking a runaway report when he was told that Vazquez-Munoz was illegally trimming a tree by the Siebel Center. The officer turned and saw Vazquez-Munoz trimming a city tree on the boulevard with a large bladed tree lopper and also noticed two dogs running loose, which he recognized from previous encounters with Vazquez-Munoz.
READ MORE → Mower County coverage
The officer told Vazquez-Munoz to stop trimming the tree and to secure his dogs. Vazquez-Munoz became visibly upset, began yelling and walked quickly toward the officer while holding the tree lopper. The complaint states Vazquez-Munoz shouted, “I’m tired, I wanna die, just kill me,” and continued to approach, pointing the tool at the officer in a threatening way.
The officer drew his Taser and repeatedly ordered Vazquez-Munoz to drop the tool, but Vazquez-Munoz continued to scream and said, “just kill me, f****** kill me.” He then threatened the officer, stating, “I’m going to f****** kill you mother f*****,” while still aiming the lopper at him. After several more commands, Vazquez-Munoz threw the tool to the ground near a flagpole by the Post Office.
As another officer arrived, Vazquez-Munoz began walking toward her. The first officer followed with his Taser drawn and grabbed Vazquez-Munoz from behind, and he was placed in handcuffs. Vazquez-Munoz continued to yell and use profane language toward the officers. He was arrested and transported to the Mower County Jail.
A third officer collected the tree lopper and contacted city staff about the damage to the trees. The complaint notes the estimated damage is unknown.
According to the complaint, the assault count carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a $14,000 fine or both, and the property damage count carries up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine or both.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
3 Austin Men Charged in Home Invasion Shooting • Austin Man Accused of Stabbing Landlord, Puncturing Lung • Man Charged with Stabbing Group Home Staff Member in Stomach
