Austintown man trying to collect $20 debt claims neighbor fired shotgun blast

Gabriel Opat

 An Austintown man finds himself behind bars in Mahoning County, just two days after an incident that involved police surrounding his camper and employing a drone to conduct a search. This all unfolded following an alleged confrontation where he discharged a shotgun and made threats to a neighbor in the mobile home park where he resides.

The incident started on Tuesday when Austintown Police were summoned to the mobile home park located off County Line Road. A neighbor reported that Gabriel Opat, a 45-year-old resident, threatened to harm him, saying he would "blow his brains out." The alleged confrontation stemmed from the neighbor requesting repayment of a $20 loan he had extended to Opat earlier.

According to the neighbor's account, he went back to his own trailer after Opat discharged a shotgun into the ground. In response, the police surrounded the vicinity and deployed a drone to search for both Opat and another neighbor to whom Opat had entrusted the shotgun.

The drone helped officers locate two men on foot.  But it wasn't the men they were looking for.

Eventually, Opat emerged from his camper, as an officer held him at gunpoint. The neighbor in possession of the shotgun also exited his residence. Police subsequently discovered the firearm inside the neighboring trailer.

Other mobile home park residents reported hearing a gunshot earlier. However, Opat told an officer that the sound was the result of a large firework he had ignited. Unable to find any evidence of fireworks, Opat was taken into custody.

Opat, complaining of chest pains, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital. However, he left the hospital shortly after arriving, according to a security guard. A warrant was subsequently issued for Opat's arrest, leading to his apprehension on Wednesday.

Opat now faces charges, including felony tampering with evidence for allegedly concealing the shotgun and possessing firearms despite a previous conviction that forbids him from doing so. Additionally, he is charged with misdemeanor offenses, including aggravated menacing, falsification, and discharging a firearm on restricted premises.