Rafael Karlos Vasquez, 35, is facing charges after police say he pointed a loaded handgun at a woman during a confrontation outside Buddy & Pals in Crown Point on the night of July 10.

According to court documents, Crown Point police responded to the business at approximately 9:38 p.m. after receiving a report of a threat involving a firearm. Investigators said the woman had arrived to pick up her husband when Vasquez allegedly approached her, removed a handgun from his waistband, racked the slide, and pointed the firearm directly at her.

Court records state the woman had known Vasquez for several months because he was friends with her husband. She told investigators that she and her husband were experiencing marital difficulties and no longer lived together. She also reported that months earlier, after telling Vasquez to stop repeatedly contacting her husband’s phone while her husband was incarcerated, Vasquez allegedly told her, “I will kill you.”

Police said the woman backed away in fear, tripped, and fell to the ground. During the fall, her belongings were scattered. She ran inside the business and asked staff to call police. Court records allege her wallet disappeared during the incident, and her prescription eyeglasses were intentionally stomped on and broken.

Investigators later learned Vasquez had gone to the AMC Theater in Hobart. Hobart police located him in the theater parking lot, where he was taken into custody. During a pat-down search, officers allegedly recovered a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm handgun from his waistband. Police also recovered the woman’s wallet, containing her identification, bank cards, and other personal items, from inside his vehicle, according to court documents.

Court records state a witness stepped between Vasquez and the woman after seeing the handgun pointed at her, pushing the firearm away before the two men separated. During an interview with detectives, Vasquez initially denied pointing the firearm. After investigators advised him they had witness statements and were obtaining surveillance video, court records state Vasquez responded, “I have to protect myself.” When detectives asked what he needed protection from, he reportedly repeated, “I have to protect myself.”

Charges filed July 11, 2026:

Pointing a Firearm at Another — Level 6 Felony

Intimidation — Class A Misdemeanor

Criminal Vandalism — Class B Misdemeanor