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This snake sheriff’s deputies say was used in an assault on an Oracle man. Photo courtesy PCSO.
Nathaniel Buck Harrison
Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputies say an Oracle man used a rattlesnake in an assault. The deputies were called to a residence in the 1100 block of N. Justice Dr., Oracle, on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at approximately 9:30 p.m. after 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of shots fired.
According to Tim Gaffney, Public Information Officer for the Sheriff’s Office, when deputies arrived on scene, they learned from a witness that Nathaniel Buck Harrison, 38, Oracle, came over to the residence uninvited and fired a bullet from a handgun inside of the home.
Deputies attempted to get Harrison to come out of the residence but he refused, Gaffney said. They set up a perimeter around the residence and eventually Harrison came out and was taken into custody.
Harrison refused to answer any questions.
“The victim (age 53) who was inside of the residence with Harrison when deputies responded, said Harrison came over to his residence and came inside without his permission or knowledge,” Sheriff Paul Babeu told the San Manuel Miner in a press release. “Harrison (allegedly) accused the victim of being a ‘rat’ and sending his friend to prison. Harrison found a board inside of the residence and hit the victim in the head with it so hard, the board broke in half. Harrison told the victim he was going to ‘kill’ him as he attempted to get a rattlesnake, which he brought with him, to bite the victim, but the snake wouldn’t bite. Harrison made the victim kneel down on the floor and he then fired a 45 caliber bullet out of a handgun into a speaker box on the floor which was located near the victim’s foot.”
A short time later, according to the victim, both he and Harrison heard the sound of sirens coming and knew deputies were on their way. Harrison attempted to hide the pistol under a couch located in the kitchen.
Harrison was booked into the Pinal County Jail for endangerment, aggravated assault, criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct with a weapon, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony offense, unlawful discharge of a firearm and threatening and intimidating. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Harrison already has an extensive criminal history.
“Harrison is currently being held on a $50,000 bond. The victim in this case told deputies he is terrified that if Harrison is released from custody he will in fact kill him,” the sheriff added. “This is the first case I have heard where a victim attempted to use a venomous snake to kill or injure his victim. The snake was found by deputies inside of the residence and after it was caught it was released back into the wild.”
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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