Democrats Behaving Badly- Nevada State Lawmaker Arrested After Threatening Colleague With Gun

A Nevada state assemblyman has been jailed after allegedly threatening to shoot the speaker-elect over his committee assignments.

Assemblyman Steven Brooks, 40, of North Las Vegas made threats to harm a public official Saturday afternoon, police said in a news release Sunday morning. A source said he was arrested with a loaded gun after threatening to shoot Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick and witnesses who corroborated the allegation prompted police to begin searching for Brooks. About 5:30 p.m., Brooks was seen driving in the area of Carey Avenue and Mt. Hood Street, where he was taken into custody without incident during a traffic stop.

Another Democratic source with knowledge of the situation said Brooks publicly threatened to harm Kirkpatrick because he was unhappy with the committee assignments given to him by Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick was selected to lead the Assembly by the Democratic caucus, but she was expected to face divisions. Her caucus was split between her and Assemblyman William Horne, D-Las Vegas, after the presumed incoming speaker, Assemblyman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, lost his re-election bid. That threw the caucus into turmoil.

Brooks had told lobbyists and other lawmakers that he had expected to become chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, a powerful committee that oversees changes to the governor’s proposed budget. Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, was selected for the position.

Brooks was booked into Las Vegas City Jail on one count of intimidating a public officer by threat of physical violence.

North Las Vegas Police, citing the ongoing investigation, would not release further details.

Brooks was released on $100,000 bail on Monday and said he fully expected to return to the state capitol in Carson City this week when reached for comment by the Las Vegas Sun

Brooks, a Democrat, represents the 17th Assembly District in North Las Vegas. Speaker-elect Kirkpatrick- also a Democrat- represents the neighboring 1st Assembly district.