Florida man shoots at his son after he crashes into house's garage door causing about $1,800 in damage on August 5
COCOA, FLORIDA: Over the weekend in Cocoa, Florida, a father reportedly fired shots at his own son following a collision involving the family home's garage door.
The incident has led to the arrest of Byron Jones, a 62-year-old resident of Cocoa, who now faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and domestic violence aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Disturbance escalates to shots fired
According to a report released by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, the incident transpired on a Saturday evening, August 5, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
Deputies were dispatched to the residence located in the 300 block of Woods Lake Drive shortly before 7 p.m. after receiving a disturbance call involving Byron Jones and his 38-year-old son, Nicholas Jones.
The situation reportedly escalated after Nicholas crashed his white Nissan pickup truck into the garage door of his father's residence, causing extensive damage estimated at around $1,800, according to Fox 35.
The affidavit provided by authorities reveals that Nicholas left the scene before deputies arrived. Byron reportedly warned the responding deputies about his son's potential actions, stating, "If he comes back, you guys are going to have to peel him off of the pavement."
Approximately two hours later, another call was made to deputies. Numerous witnesses reported hearing gunshots at the same residence and claimed to have seen a white Nissan pickup truck rapidly leaving the area.
According to Byron Jones's version of events, Nicholas allegedly returned to the scene and intentionally tried to run over his father with his truck.
Reportedly, Byron attempted to stop his son by repeatedly shouting at him to halt, but when Nicholas failed to comply, Byron fired six shots in his direction.
Contradicting evidence
The footage contradicted Byron's account of the incident when deputies reviewed surveillance footage obtained from a neighbor's house. The video footage depicted Nicholas parking his pickup truck in his father's driveway and coming to a stop near the end.
In the video, Byron can be seen walking toward his son while audibly shouting, "Come here!" As Nicholas begins to reverse his truck out of the driveway, Byron reportedly fired four shots.
Nicholas' truck eventually stops in front of his father's residence. The video also captures Byron uttering the words, "I'm going to get you," before firing two more shots.
Nicholas managed to leave the area before deputies arrived at the scene. Subsequent investigations located him and his damaged truck merging onto Interstate-95.
Notably, the truck exhibited signs of being hit by a bullet, as it was leaking gasoline and had a visible bullet hole in the windshield.
Broader pattern of gun violence in Florida
In June, a similarly distressing event occurred when a man mistakenly opened fire on a pool cleaner, mistaking him for an intruder.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office reported that the homeowners had called 911 after spotting the cleaner on their property, unaware that he was coming to clean their pool that evening. In the confusion, shots were fired at the pool cleaner.
Additionally, just last month, a double murder-suicide involving a pregnant woman and her unborn child unfolded in the Inwood area of Winter Haven. The incident, which took place in front of witnesses, highlights the dire consequences of unchecked gun violence.
Riley Groover, 26, fatally shot the woman before taking his own life, leaving first responders and medical staff unable to save the lives of both the woman and her unborn baby.