The man arrested Wednesday for attempted murder of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh told a 911 dispatcher he had psychiatric problems.
Nicholas Roske, 26, of Simi Valley, California, was arrested Wednesday by Montgomery County Police officers a block away from Justice Kavanaugh’s Maryland home.
He flew from California with the weapons in a zip-tied suitcase that was presumably checked luggage on his flight to Maryland, Roske informed a 911 dispatcher. He hired a taxicab to transport him to the Montgomery County, Maryland, home of Kavavanaugh where he intended to kill Kavanaugh and then himself. He changed his mind when he got out of the taxi.
“The individual looked at the two deputy U.S. Marshals, who were standing next to their parked vehicle, and then turned to walk down the street,” according to the criminal complaint filed in Maryland District Court by a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent. Roske walked around the block before calling 911.
He identified himself, then informed the dispatcher he had a weapon and was having suicidal thoughts.
“I need psychiatric help,” Roske said during his approximately 14-minute conversation with a 911 dispatcher. “But, I’m not injured, if that’s what you’re asking,” he replied when asked if he was hurt, adding, “at least, not physically.”
“I brought a firearm but it is unloaded and it is locked in the suitcase,” Roske said. He admitted having a knife, pepper spray, zip ties and other related supplies in the suitcase. Police said later their search of his backpack and suitcase yielded a Glock 17 semiautomatic pistol with two magazines with ammunition.
The dispatcher asked if he had any other weapons with him. Roske said he did not and, in fact, was now standing on the other side of the street from where he had placed his suitcase and backpack against the curb.
“The suitcase is on the other side of the street but I can move further away from it, if that is advisable,” he stated. Soon afterwards, he said he had moved farther away and was now all the way down to the corner. “I’m sitting on the curb.”
Roske was advised to make sure he followed all commands issued by responding law enforcement, which the California man said he would do.
“I want to be fully compliant,” he responded, “so whatever they want me to do, I’ll do.”
Making conversation while waiting for responders to arrive, the dispatcher asked personal questions about him, his family and pets he had.
He told the dispatcher he lived in Simi Valley with his parents. When asked if they were aware of his plans, he denied they had knowldege, saying they were on vacation in Hawaii. He added that except for a brief period of time in Seattle he had lived his entire life in the Los Angeles suburb of Simi Valley.
Roske replied he had an 18-year-old cockapoo, named Molly, as a pet.
Soon after, he mentioned he heard sirens and hung up to answer arriving officers.
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