Florida Keys

Key West man had a ‘samurai sword’ — and said he’d use it, cops say

By Gwen Filosa

October 01, 2018 02:00 PM

Solstad
Solstad
Solstad

A 29-year-old Key West man was jailed after police said he threatened to kill someone with a two-foot-long samurai sword.

Steven Solstad told police he paid $20 for the silver single-edge sword with a pointed tip, as Officer Todd Stevens described it in an arrest report released Monday.

Police were summoned to the intersection of Duval Street and Truman Avenue at about 7:39 a.m. Sept. 28 to find Solstad sitting on a bicycle. Solstad pointed officers to his sword.

The sword was attached to the handlebars with a bungee cord. It was inside a nylon sheath that was wrapped in a pair of shorts.

Brandon Rettich said Solstad had raised the sword at him and said, “I will kill you,” police said. The incident took place in a parking lot behind the San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St., where Solstad had been sleeping on a piece of cardboard. He said Rettich rousted him with profanities.

Rettich blamed Solstad for the conflict.

Solstad was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill and carrying a concealed weapon.

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