Report: Missing package leads to man chasing neighbor with gun, charged with assault

A dispute between neighbors over missing mail led one to chase the other with a gun. Now, the suspect faces an assault charge.

According to authorities, police were called to a Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, home for a disturbance with a firearm.

Police said the victims were hiding in their apartment waiting for the police to arrive, but once officers were at the home they saw a man matching the description of the suspect and quickly detained him.

Officials said the incident began over a missing package and Gerald Theodore Johnson, 52, became aggressive and pushed his neighbor when he inquired about the missing delivery.

Johnson pushed the victim, who then pushed Johnson back. Johnson then went to his apartment and came back with a gun, police said.

According to witnesses, Johnson chased the victim around with the gun before both returned to their residences.

After Johnson was detained, witnesses identified him from a suspect lineup. A search warrant of his apartment produced a small replica handgun underneath a mattress, NorthcentralPA.com reported.

Johnson was charged with simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and terroristic threats, police said.

Officials said Johnson is currently being held at the Lycoming County Prison on $20,000 bail.