A man was arrested on investigation of assault at his home in the 5800 block of East Mercer Way after threatening a passerby with a sledgehammer over parking during the weekend of Summer Celebration.

Police responded to the scene at an East Mercer Way residence at 9:42 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, after the suspect’s wife reported a parking disturbance.

The victim, a Kirkland resident, said that he had parked his truck and boat along the side of East Mercer Way while trying to help an elderly woman find her home. He had encountered the woman, lost and confused, at the boat launch, and drove south on East Mercer Way looking for her home. Accompanied by his wife and friend, he parked in the 5800 block and was confronted by the resident of an adjacent property — a man who approached him with a raised sledgehammer while demanding that he move his vehicle. The resident threatened to use the sledgehammer on the victim’s boat.

Telling the suspect to go back to his house, the victim moved forward until the suspect was backed up to his house and basement door, according to the police report. The suspect’s wife then appeared in the doorway and pulled out a small caliber handgun. The victim stated that she pointed the gun at him. The woman, however, denied pointing it at anyone. The victim ran out of the driveway and moved his vehicle across the street. The two other witnesses present did not observe the whole incident.

Police arrived and took the gun, which was loaded, into evidence along with a clip and 12-pound sledgehammer.