Neighbor Threatens to Shoot Man and His Dogs

A dispute between neighbors over yard work allegedly escalated into threats to shoot a man, his dogs and his car. The man told deputies he feared for his safety, especially because the neighbor had access to firearms. The confrontation happened while a man was clearing brush from his yard. According to a Lawrence County Sheriff's Office report, his neighbor approached the roadway and allegedly threatened him despite an active protection order prohibiting contact. Witness Says Threats Were Repeated The man told deputies that his neighbor, John Bevins, threatened to shoot him and his dogs. He said Bevins owned more than one gun and that he was frightened by the encounter. Another man who witnessed the confrontation backed up the complaint. The witness told deputies he heard Bevins threaten to shoot the neighbor, his dogs and his car. According to the report, the witness also informed Bevins that a protection order was in place. Bevins allegedly responded that he didn't care about the order. The witness told deputies that similar incidents had happened several times before and that he, too, feared for his safety. Man Says He Didn't Know About Protection Order A deputy went next door to speak with Bevins about the allegations. Bevins reportedly told the deputy he had gone over to tell his neighbor to keep his dogs on his own property. When the deputy explained that an active protection order prohibited him from contacting the neighbor, Bevins claimed he didn't know about it. According to the report, Bevins said a judge had simply told him to stay away from the man. Arrested for Violating Protection Order The deputy arrested Bevins for violating the protection order and transported him to the Lawrence County Jail. The sheriff's report does not indicate that anyone was injured or that a firearm was displayed during the confrontation. Although witnesses reported threats involving guns, the arrest documented in the report was for violation of a protection order. Protection orders are court orders, not suggestions. Depending on their terms, they can prohibit someone from contacting or approaching another person, even when the individuals live next door to each other. In this case, what Bevins described as a complaint about wandering dogs ended with a trip to jail.

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