A brother is facing punishment for threatening his siblings with a kitchen knife

Jan. 14 – A 32-year-old man is in jail after allegedly threatening his brother with a knife at their Kalispell home earlier this month.

Erick Navarijo appeared in Flathead County District Court on one count of aggravated assault following his Jan. 2 arrest at a home on Tamarack Way. Authorities set his bail at $40,000, but he remains in the county jail at the request of the Department of Homeland Security.

Court documents say the victim, Navarijo’s brother, told Flathead County Sheriff’s Office deputies that the fight broke out during a drinking evening. He said he recently invited his brother to Montana to work with him in construction.

The pair began arguing about their jobs, and Navarijo allegedly brought a kitchen knife. His brother told deputies he thought Navarijo was going to stab him, so he grabbed the gun from him, according to court documents.

Deputies grabbed a knife and arrested Navarijo at the scene.

Navarijo is expected to appear before Judge Heidi Ulbricht on Jan. 22 for arraignment.

Aggravated assault is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].