An unsettling incident involving threats at knife-point occurred late Saturday night in Copperopolis, Calaveras County and ended with a local man facing multiple charges, according to the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office's social media post. Casey Daniel Purser, 38, allegedly brandished a switchblade and tried instigating violence after drinking alcohol, prompting 911 response from a worried witness in Angels Camp.
Deputies arrived at a Pool Station Road property, where participants of a gathering pointed them to a large building where Purser was reportedly making threats with the knife and refusing to disarm – his actions led to deputies deploying a non lethal 40 mm kinetic round, striking the suspect and enabling them to bring the volatile situation under control. They recovered a switchblade from Purser, who was subsequently uncooperative as he was escorted to a patrol car, he shouted profanities and resisted being evaluated by medical personnel.
This altercation not only included the menacing knife display but also an attempt by Purser to force a pill believed by witnesses to be a narcotic into someone's mouth, a violation that was thwarted when the victim pushed his hand away, as detailed in the sheriff's office post. After interviewing witnesses and gathering a full picture, Purser was later taken to jail and booked on three felony charges and two misdemeanors.
The severity of the offenses prompted deputies to seek and secure a no-bail enhancement from Judge Healey of the Calaveras County Superior Court, grounding Purser in jail without the option of release, further buttressing the community's shield against his immediate return; Purser now awaits the court’s judgment behind bars.
