A 91-year-old man was arrested Thursday after shooting at landscapers because grass clippings were blown onto his car, according to Highlands County deputies.
Max Horton got into a verbal argument with landscaper Robert Hendrix, and during the argument pulled out a handgun, pointed it at Hendrix, 39, and ordered him to get on his knees. Horton told Hendrix he was going to kill him.
A fellow landscaper, Johnny Barnes, 53, made a move towards Horton in defense of Hendrix, and Horton fired off a shot toward Hendrix.
As Horton diverted his attention towards Barnes, Hendrix, who later told detectives he was in fear for his life, reached up and was able to disarm Horton.
Hendrix and Barnes then physically tackled Horton and held him on the ground until the deputies arrived to the home at 2830 Palo Verde Drive.
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.
Florida Hospital was bypassed because Horton had been trespassed warned from Florida Hospital in September, 2013, due to verbal threats he made to staff members, telling them he had a gun in his vehicle and they would be sorry if he went to get it.
Once cleared from Highlands Regional Medical Center, Horton was booked into the Highlands County Jail for: attempted first-degree murder.
