Democratic Assemblyman Arrested After Allegedly Threatening to Shoot Fellow State Representative

(Photo: North Las Vegas Police Department)

A Nevada assemblyman has been arrested after allegedly intimidating a fellow state representative with physical violence, KTNV relates.

Several reports, including the Las Vegas Sun, say 40-year-old assemblyman Steven Brooks was arrested with a loaded gun after threatening to shoot Democratic Speaker-elect Marilyn Kirkpatrick.

The city of North Las Vegas released this bulletin:

On January 19, 2013 at about 3:45 p.m. officers responded to a home in the northwestern part of North Las Vegas in reference to a report of threats to an elected public official. It was reported that Assemblyman Steven Brooks (40) of North Las Vegas made threats to harm a fellow State representative.

During the course of the preliminary investigation, officers received corroborating witness statements supporting the victim's report and began a search for Brooks. At about 5:30 p.m., Brooks was seen driving in the area of Carey Avenue and Mt. Hood Street, where he was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop. Brooks was transported to the Las Vegas City Jail and booked on one count of intimidating a public officer by threat of physical violence (NRS 199.300).  [Emphasis added]

The Las Vegas sun continues:

Brendan Summers, executive director of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, released a statement saying, “We understand an investigation is currently ongoing, and we have no further comment at this time.”

Democratic sources with knowledge of the caucus said that Brooks' behavior in caucus meetings had been "erratic" and leadership had begun documenting his behavior.

Brooks was first elected in 2010. He represents Assembly District 17.

Brooks had served as an assistant for Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow. He currently works as a management analyst with the city of Las Vegas for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department. His gross wage for 2011, when he also served for four months in the Legislature, was $32,873, according to transparentnevada.com. His wages for 2012 won’t be available until Tuesday, Las Vegas officials said.

Insiders say the assemblyman, who reportedly has four children, was unhappy with the committee assignments he was given by Kirkpatrick.

Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, D-Las Vegas, said Sunday that law enforcement is providing security for the threatened party.

"Ms. Kirkpatrick is being watched until it is deemed not necessary," he said. "Law enforcement has been dispatched to my home as well. Obviously something has risen to a level where it is better to be safe than sorry."

(H/T: Twitchy)