A Kasilof woman is out on bail after Alaska State Troopers allege she held a couple at gunpoint and shot one round in their direction during a disturbance on June 22 at her home.
Troopers arrested Kathy Bender, 53, on two counts of assault three, a Class C Felony, and a resisting arrest misdemeanor. A Class C Felony holds a maximum of five years in prison and $50,000 fine. Bender was arraigned in Kenai District Court on June 23 and released on $2,500 cash performance bond.
According to a trooper’s affidavit, Bender called 911 to report a man, Julian Harris, 20, who had lived at her home on Johansen Drive for nearly three months, refused to leave. Harris reported that Bender threatened him and his girlfriend, 21-year-old Haili Hoeldt, who was waiting in Harris’ car.
Harris said Bender invited him over to her house to pick up some things and pay back money and when he walked inside, she pointed a small silver pistol at him. When Harris went outside and walked to his car, he told troopers he heard Bender, who was behind him, shoot the pistol in his direction, according to the report.
Hoeldt told troopers she saw Bender point the pistol at Harris and heard the gunshot from the car, according to the affidavit. Bender tapped the pistol on the passenger door window and threatened to kill Hoeldt, according to the affidavit.
Neither party reported any injuries, according to the report.
When troopers contacted Bender, they smelled alcohol on her breath. She was not cooperating with the arresting trooper and had to be put down on the ground to be placed in handcuffs, according to the report.
Troopers obtained a search warrant for Bender’s home and located a Walther .380 semi-automatic pistol with one round missing from the magazine.
Bender’s next court date is July 8, in Kenai Superior Court.
Reach Dan Balmer at daniel.balmer@peninsulaclarion.com.
