Kenai man charged with attempted murder after alleged armed standoff

Kenai man charged with attempted murder after alleged armed standoff

A Kenai man is facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly shooting off a gun during an armed standoff Sunday at a Kenai home.

Steven T. Smith, 55, was arrested for first-degree attempted murder on Tuesday, after police were called to a home in the Central Heights Subdivision.

Smith is accused of shooting a Ruger .45 semi-automatic handgun during a domestic dispute at the home on April 22.

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During the confrontation, Smith allegedly aimed the handgun at another man, who was reportedly holding an unloaded shotgun.

The alleged victim told police Smith had entered the home with the handgun and threatened to kill him, leading to the two pointing weapons at each other.

The man told police that Smith’s gun went off when he knocked it out of Smith’s hand. The man had injuries to his hand consistent with his account, according to police.

No other injuries were reported.

Smith, who gave a differing account to the police, said he shot the handgun to the side during a physical altercation with the man.

The standoff was initially reported on Sunday night, after the alleged victim told a dispatcher that he had been shot at and was following Smith. The man did not follow up on the phone call or file a report at the station, police said.

Smith was arrested Tuesday after police received a report that he had returned to the home.

He was taken to Wildwood Pretrial Facility Tuesday. His arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday.

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