Man Storms New Mexico Courthouse With Axe, Threatening Judge’s Life

A chilling incident unfolded on April 8th in Sierra County, New Mexico, as a man armed with an axe stormed the courthouse, allegedly intending to take the life of a judge. The suspect, identified as 65-year-old John Carl O’Brien, was reportedly driven by rage over his ongoing case.

Bodycam footage of John Carl O'Brien being apprehended by a deputy inside the courthouse

Body camera footage from that day reveals a tense scene as O’Brien paces the courthouse lobby, demanding to know the judge’s whereabouts. The deputy on scene displays remarkable composure, ordering O’Brien to drop the axe and get on his knees.

“Put the ax down! Step away from it! Step away from it, miss, see your hands! Get down on your knees! 106 Regional, send units to myself in the front lobby. Do not move, do you understand me? Do you understand me? If you move, it will not be good for you. Okay, airm,” the officer can be heard saying.

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Deputy pointing a gun at John Carl O'Brien, who is kneeling on the ground

O’Brien was swiftly apprehended, but the incident triggered a lockdown of the courthouse that extended for several hours. Authorities confirmed that all judges present in the building at the time refused to handle O’Brien’s case, leading to the assignment of a judge from a different Judicial District Court to preside over it.

Following his arrest, O’Brien was hit with a slew of charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, using a telephone to make threats, and harassment. The severity of these charges underscores the gravity of his actions and the potential consequences he faces.