Why were the cops at this hotel? Why at this hotel room? Why these people? Was there evidence of a sniper from a window? Why would cops show up with automatic rifles suited for combat, if this was a big nothingburger?
Why were the cops at this hotel? Why at this hotel room? Why these people? Was there evidence of a sniper from a window?
Shaver was into pest control, and had an air rifle as part of his working toolbox. He was staying at the hotel after work with a couple friends, having a drink, and at one point apparently showed the rifle to his friends. As part of the show and tell, he pointed the rifle out the window. Or someone did.
Some people outside in the pool area saw that and called police. So police were responding as though there was a sniper in the hotel. There is a reasonable chance that Shaver had no idea why the police were there, never having any clue that pointing the air rifle out the window caused such a ruckus (whether that was him or one of his friends).
That this trial took place after the Vegas shooting certainly played into the cop's favor.
