Hunter
10/01/20
Cedar Rapids police say a 45-year-old white man threatened his black neighbor while armed with two machetes and has been taken into custody.
The Gazette reports that officers were called to the 2400 block of 8th Avenue Southwest Tuesday at 5:50pm on reports of an armed white man threatening a black man.
Upon arrival, they came upon Gary Knebel, holding two machetes and screaming at his neighbor, who is black. Knebel reportedly dropped the machetes when he saw the officers.
Knebel alleged that his 31-year old neighbor made racist comments toward him as he was attempting to remove a tree stump, and the neighbor also displayed a knife.
A witness to the altercation confirmed that the neighbor displayed a knife, but only after Knebel displayed the two machetes. Knebel reportedly went on to his neighbor’s property, but the neighbor stayed in his own yard. The witness also alleged that Knebel told his neighbor, “I’ll kill you,” using a racial epithet. He also allegedly told his neighbor, “step on my property and I’ll kill you.”
Officers arrested Knebel based on the witness account and what they saw when they arrived. He’s been charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and first degree harassment. If convicted on the two charges, Knebel could see up to four years in prison.