35-year-old Adrian Armstong had an altercation with his friend, Justin Screws, inside his car on Patio Drive in the early hours of February 4th. Armstrong opened his door as officers arrived and nodded at them, saying, “Over there,” before pulling into and parking in a nearby driveway. The resident at the location told officers they had never seen Screws or Armstrong before the incident. Officers approached Armstrong’s vehicle and heard Screws yelling for help from inside the car. Armstrong claimed that Screws had tried to rob him at knifepoint. They detained Armstrong, noticed Screws covered in blood, and then assisted him in exiting the vehicle.
Screws advised them that he and Joseph Mungenast called Armstrong for a ride since they were supposed to work together. When Armstrong picked him and Mungenast up, an argument sparked between Screws and Armstrong regarding the title of his vehicle. Armstrong accused Screws or Mungenast of taking his vehicle title during the argument. Then, Screws explained that Armstrong became angry and struck him in the face. Screws also noted that Armstrong had a knife, but he did not initially believe Armstrong had stabbed him. Screws said that he was screaming for help when officers arrived, but he could not be heard because he was locked inside Armstrong’s vehicle that has tinted windows. Mr. Mungenast stated that Screws and Armstrong argued, then Armstrong stabbed Screws and punched him repeatedly in the face.
Armstrong told officers that he had given the men a ride, and they had left a bag in the car, so he asked them to get it. Then, he claimed Screws pulled a long-fixed blade that resembled a gun and threatened him with it. So Armstrong locked the door, hindering Screws from exiting the car. Armstrong then began fighting Screws for the knife before he struck him in the face and took it from him. Armstrong stated he remained on the scene to talk to the police. Officers observed the injuries from both parties and spoke to witnesses, who had only seen the car rocking but did not hear any commotion. Officers located a green “Karambit” knife in the center console of Armstrong’s car and deemed him the primary aggressor. Armstrong was taken into custody for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, driving with a suspended license, and aggravated kidnapping.
