Moscow Police officers arrested a man suspected of brandishing a handgun during an argument Sunday morning, according to a City of Moscow Facebook post.
Mugshot of Joshua Lee Haworth, arrested on suspicion of brandishing a firearm.
Officers believe Joshua Lee Haworth and another man — identified in a probable cause statement as Jess Lyle — confronted an Identity Moscow employee, saying the company owed him $100 for work he’d done.
The alleged incident occurred near the Main Street apartments, leading Gritman Medical Center staff to go into a higher security awareness and University of Idaho officials to issue a VandalAlert notification.
A follow-up VandalAlert was released roughly an hour and a half after the first, saying there was no direct threat to campus.
The Identity employee, who The Argonaut is not naming as they are the victim of a possible crime, reportedly said they owed Lyle the money, the statement reads. However, they were not able to pay immediately, prompting a further argument.
The employee apparently asked the suspect who he was, officers said.
Haworth responded by unzipping his vest, revealing two black, semi-automatic handguns in a shoulder holster. “This is who I am,” he said.
The Identity employee told police they asked if Haworth was going to shoot them “over $100,” who replied, “if that’s what I have to do, then yes.”
Others nearby noticed the confrontation and called police, the statement reads. Haworth and Lyle left the area when it was announced the police had been contacted.
Officers later found Lyle after they responded to the area. Haworth was traced back to a Moscow home on 400 block of East 8th St.
Haworth remains in Latah County Jail on one count of aggravated assault. His bail was set at $75,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6.
Kyle Pfannenstiel can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @pfannyyy.