Robert Fair

Police received a call Monday evening for a domestic incident at a Butler apartment where a man reportedly pointed a pistol at his girlfriend.

The pistol, however, turned out to be a BB gun, city police said.

When police at first thought Robert Fair had a more powerful weapon, they evacuated other tenants in the same apartment building and they called state police for back up. No serious injuries were reported.

Butler police arrested Robert E. Fair, 37, of Butler Township on misdemeanor charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment.

He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail with the condition that he have no contact with his girlfriend.

A call from the landlord apparently prompted the police response shortly after 7 p.m. The landlord reported that one of the tenants in the four apartments could be in danger, authorities said.

Supposedly, police said, Fair had pointed a gun at his girlfriend after pushing her into a Christmas tree.

The situation became more tense when city officers got there and no one answered the door at the home. Efforts to coax Fair out failed and attempts to reach anyone inside by phone also was to no avail.

When police canvassed the area, authorities said, a neighbor reported hearing a gunshot. Officers evacuated other tenants in the same apartment building. State police joined in the response.

The incident eventually was resolved peacefully when Fair walked out, police said. The victim was also inside but she apparently was not hurt.

She told officers that the defendant pushed her, according to a police affidavit, and “pointed a gun at her and taunted her with a large knife.”

Police said they recovered the BB gun and a fixed -blade, Bowie-style knife at the scene.

Fair's preliminary hearing was not immediately scheduled.