A 42-year-old man was arrested in Horizon after police said he allegedly pointed a rifle at three people during a confrontation outside a residence.
Gabriel Gelista faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following the incident, which happened late Saturday, Oct. 3, in the 14000 block of Steve Joyce Parkway.
Police said the incident began around 10 p.m. when a vehicle carrying three people pulled into the driveway of a home. A white truck reportedly stopped in the roadway, blocking the driveway, and the driver began yelling at the people inside the vehicle.
One of the occupants reportedly told the man that he had the wrong residence. Investigators said the confrontation then escalated when Gelista allegedly pulled out an AR-15-style rifle and pointed it toward the three people.
The occupants told officers they feared for their safety during the encounter.
Police later located Gelista nearby. During the investigation, he reportedly acknowledged having contact with the individuals but denied displaying or pointing a firearm at them.
Investigators eventually recovered the rifle. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, three arrest warrants were obtained, leading to Gelista’s arrest.
Gelista was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on the three aggravated-assault charges. His bond was set at $45,000.
Jail records show that he was released on Tuesday, Oct. 6, after posting bond.
The case remains tied to allegations, and the charges against Gelista have not been proven in court. The investigation centers on whether the firearm was used to threaten the three people during the confrontation.
The incident also highlights the seriousness with which local authorities treat reports involving firearms and alleged threats of violence. Police said they remain committed to investigating violent offenses and holding people accountable when deadly weapons are allegedly used to threaten others.
