A routine landscaping job at a northwest Las Vegas apartment complex turned surreal when a worker was struck in the head by a crossbow bolt, police said. The landscaper later noticed he was bleeding and was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit for treatment. Officers served a search warrant at a nearby residence, where they arrested a man they say was involved.
Police: Dispute Over Towed Car And Leaf Blower
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, investigators say the trouble started after the suspect retrieved his silver Kia Rio from a tow lot and became agitated. An arrest report identifies the suspect as 46-year-old Charles Nichols and says he believed a landscaping crew had been sent by his homeowners association to harass him with a leaf blower. Police allege Nichols began throwing items at the worker, including a can of soup and possibly butter knives, before a bolt struck the landscaper near his right temple.
Bolts, Crossbow And The Arrest
Responding officers found two short black bolts in the area where the landscaper had been working, along with another bolt missing its tip. Investigators say a subsequent search of Nichols' residence turned up a crossbow hidden inside an air-conditioning vent. Authorities recovered six bolts at the home that matched those found at the scene, and they arrested Nichols on Feb. 26 at a northwest valley condominium complex. The victim was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit after feeling something near his right temple and seeing blood, according to KOLD.
Charges And Possible Penalties
Under Nevada law, battery committed with the use of a deadly weapon is a category B felony that can bring a minimum of two years and up to 10 years in prison if no substantial bodily harm is proven, and up to 15 years if substantial bodily harm is established, per the Nevada Revised Statutes. Attempted murder is also a felony carrying significant prison time, and any conviction on multiple counts could lead to consecutive sentences depending on how prosecutors choose to charge and how a court ultimately rules.
What The Suspect Told Investigators
The arrest report, as outlined by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, quotes Nichols as saying he never intended to harm the landscaper and that he had drunk only one beer that day. Nichols denied owning a bow, telling officers he owns darts and throwing stars and holds a Nevada hunting license, and he told police he suffers from high anxiety, according to the report.
What's Next
Detectives are continuing their investigation and plan to forward their findings to the Clark County district attorney's office for review. No court date had been publicly posted as of the time of reporting.
