Argument Over Gnats Leads To Taser/Knife Standoff In Vernon

VERNON, CT — An argument over swarming gnats at a Vernon apartment house led to residents squaring off with a knife and Taser over the weekend, police said.

The incident took place at 5:17 p.m. Saturday on Spring Street, according to a report. Nathaniel Baker, 21. was cleaning a "messy" area of a common hallway after a citation from the local health department, according to a report.

The area was drawing gnats and another resident, a 34-year-old woman, confronted Baker about the situation, according to a report. Baker responded by pulling out a knife and waving it toward the woman, according to a report.

The woman, in turn, pulled out a Taser, police said.

Baker wound up shoving her into a hallway window in front of witnesses, according to a report.

The woman was not charged. Baker was charged with breach of peace and threatening, both in the second degree, according to a report.

He was held on a $10,000 bond over the weekend and was to appear in court Monday, police said.