Police: Man Pointed

Shotgun At Girlfriend

ONEONTA – Oneonta Police arrested a man following reports that he had pointed a loaded shotgun at his girlfriend during a dispute at their apartment on Main Street.

Steven J. Knauff, 35, was arrested Saturday evening after police responded to a call from 25 year old victim, who told them that earlier that evening, Knauff had allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at her face. The victim was able to flee the apartment to a location on Chestnut Street, where she called police.

The victim was interviewed and relayed to the officers that she and her boyfriend had been in a verbal argument at their apartment.  She had called her father and was on the phone with him when the suspect allegedly entered her room and pointed the shotgun at her face.  During the interview, the victim believed her boyfriend to have since passed out, but told police that he was definitely in possession of a loaded 12 gauge pump shotgun.

The officers responded to the apartment, where they found the suspect unconscious, were able to secure the loaded shotgun and a metal knuckle knife, and take the suspect into custody without further incident.

Knauff was charged with the felonies of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm, both class C felonies. He was also charged with the misdemeanors of criminal possession of a weapon, fourth degree and menacing, second degree, both class A misdemeanors. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 32 years incarceration.