A Schuylkill County man is facing aggravated assault and firearms charges after police say he attacked a man and reached for a handgun during a physical altercation over an alleged affair and taxidermy work earlier this week.
Robert Bixler, 54, of Klingerstown, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel on Thursday morning, where all charges against him were held for Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas. Bixler faces felony charges of aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license, as well as misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person, alongside summary offenses of harassment and disorderly conduct. He was denied bail following his arraignment on June 21.
Police say the charges stem from two connected incidents on Sunday afternoon in Upper Mahantongo Township. Troopers were initially called to investigate a disturbance involving a firearm at a residence on Vista Road, followed by a domestic dispute at Bixler’s home on Kopp Road.
Bixler told officers the catalyst for the confrontation was a taxidermy job, police say. Bixler said he’d been trying to reach the victim about the work for an extended period without success. While operating a utility terrain vehicle on Sunday, Bixler saw the victim drive past and used the opportunity to make contact at the Vista Road property,.
The victim told police Bixler arrived at the residence to return antlers. Police say Bixler also accused the man of sleeping with his wife for the past two years.
Bixler approached the victim, who was sitting on a chair on a back porch, with a can of beer in his hand, police say. Following a verbal altercation regarding personal differences, Bixler reportedly told the victim, “you are afraid.” When the victim replied, “I am not afraid of nothing,” Bixler threw the beer into the man’s face, striking him, and then attempted to hit him with a closed fist.
The victim blocked the punch and struck Bixler, knocking him to the ground, police say. As Bixler got up from the ground, the victim saw him reach for his right pocket, where a pistol was visible. A witness told police they saw the physical altercation and heard Bixler state “(BLEEP) this” as he reached for the weapon.
The victim grabbed Bixler from behind and wrestled the firearm away, handing it to the witness, police say. Bixler allegedly continued to fight, prompting the victim to knock Bixler down multiple times in self-defense. Bixler asked for his gun back, but the victim refused out of fear Bixler would attempt to use it. Bixler then left the property.
Police later located Bixler at his Kopp Rd. residence, where a juvenile witness reported hearing Bixler outside arguing with his wife and accusing her of being unfaithful with the victim. The wife confirmed to police that Bixler had accused her of infidelity, attempted to assault the victim, and produced a firearm during the earlier altercation.
Bixler, who police say had fresh scrapes and cuts on his face, legs, and shoulder, admitted to the physical altercation and told officers the victim had taken his pistol during the fight. Police seized the weapon – a 9mm Taurus pistol – and determined Bixler’s permit to carry a concealed firearm had expired in January 2025.
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