Andy Humbles

USA Today Network - Tennessee

A man has been arrested for charging a reporter and news crew with Nashville's Channel 5 with an ax in Mt. Juliet, according to the city's police department.

Jude Pischke, 46, allegedly became angry, aggressive and threatened the crew in the front yard of a home in the 1400 block of Nonaville Road on Wednesday, police said.

Mt. Juliet Commissioner Ray Justice has questioned whether the persons living in the Nonaville Road home are squatters and should legally be residing there, he said.

"I've been trying to get them out," said Justice, who has also been to the property to speak with residents.

A video of the incident with the news crew allegedly shows Pischke getting a large ax from the bed of a nearby pick-up truck in the yard of the home. He then lifted the ax back in a swinging position and aggressively charged toward the news crew, police said. The crew also stated that as they rushed to leave, Pischke got into his vehicle and drove aggressively toward them.

Warrants were obtained for Pischke’s arrest, and he was located around 6:15 p.m. on the same day while leaving the residence, police said. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Pischke without further incident.

Pischke was booked into the Wilson County Jail and charged with three counts of aggravated assault and three counts of reckless endangerment. He has been released on a $6,000 bond, police said.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.