Highland County Sheriff’s Office Max Horton, 91, allegedly opened fire on landscapers over a fight about lawn clippings, police said.
He reportedly told the landscaper that he was going to kill him, according to WTSP.
After the incident on Thursday Horton was charged with attempted first-degree murder.
Deputies arrested a 91-year-old Florida man after he allegedly pulled a gun on his neighbors over grass clippings Thursday. However, when mere clippings of grass hit Horton’s vehicle , he flew into a violent rage and began threatening the landscaper.
“I’m sure the lady that takes care of his wife is very sorry she ever mentioned a little grass on her auto “, says neighbor Kay Conkle. Both landscapers were able to tackle Horton to the ground and contain him until officials arrived a short time later.
Horton, who received minor injuries when tackled by Barns and Hendrix, was transported by EMS to Highlands Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Room for treatment. Horton got into a verbal argument with the landscaper, Robert Hendrix, 39 years old, and during the argument pulled a handgun and pointed it at Hendrix and ordered Hendrix to get on his knees.
Hendrix got up from his knees, disarmed Horton and he and Barnes tackled the man, holding him down until police arrived.
Deputies had to bypass nearby Florida Hospital because Horton had a trespass warning there.
When asked if Horton could have mental illness, Chief Deputy Schrader responded, “We don’t know that right now, obviously that will be looked at in the criminal justice system”.
Authorities said the hot-headed man called one of landscapers over and cursed him out on his driveway. He said, “I don’t think you need to put a 91 year old man in the Florida State prison”. After the violent shooting, which took place in front of the victim’s wife and child, the shooter was still released on bond and only faced charges of second-degree murder.