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Inset: Steven Hamblin (Boone County Sheriff”s Office). Background: A man alleged to be Steven Hamblin pointing a gun at a crowd of people outside an elementary school (Viewer submitted to WKRC/YouTube).
A Kentucky man has been arrested following allegations that he threatened a group of individuals with a firearm after a dispute over his son’s participation in a youth basketball game.
Steven Hamblin, aged 28, is currently detained at the Boone County Jail. He faces several charges, including wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, unlawful possession of a weapon on school premises, and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to documents reviewed by Law&Crime. His bail has been set at $200,000 cash.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon at Walton-Verona Elementary School in Verona, Kentucky, shortly after a youth basketball match. As reported by NBC affiliate WLEX, spectators, including Hamblin, were gathered in the school’s parking lot following the game.
Hamblin was allegedly upset over his son’s limited playing time and sought to address the issue with a coach, which led to a heated verbal exchange. According to court documents, this disagreement escalated into a minor altercation, requiring separation of the parties involved.
Video sent to regional CBS and The CW affiliate WKRC shows what appears to have happened next. A man alleged to be Hamblin can be seen opening the driver’s-side door of an SUV while an apparent child scampers away behind the vehicle to the other side.
Subsequently, Hamblin was reportedly seen closing his SUV door and then stepping behind the vehicle, where he allegedly brandished what appeared to be a handgun, aiming it at a group of approximately eight people. Witnesses claim he repeatedly threatened to “shoot” the individuals, who were believed to be associated with the visiting team, as reported by local Fox affiliate WXIX.
Officers responded to the scene at about 2 p.m. but caught up to Hamblin at his home not long after. While speaking about what happened, he reportedly stated he “was defending his family who was being attacked.”
The superintendent of Walton-Verona Independent Schools, Matt Baker, said in a statement obtained by WKRC that “We are thankful for the rapid response and professionalism of the Boone County Sheriff’s deputies who assisted us this afternoon,” adding, “Our focus remains on maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for our families and guests.”
The defendant is due to appear in court on Feb. 9.
Verona is located in northern Kentucky, roughly 25 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio.