A 79-year-old St. Johns County man was arrested after deputies say he confronted landscapers outside his apartment while holding a rifle, leading to a felony aggravated assault charge.
According to a report from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened last Wednesday morning at a complex in Beachwalk.
Deputies say the man became upset about noise from landscaping operations and approached workers with a .22 caliber rifle around 10 a.m.
Authorities noted that while the man did not point the weapon directly at anyone, it was visible during the confrontation.
One of the landscapers told deputies he feared for his life upon seeing the rifle.
A witness also provided a sworn statement confirming the man had the gun during the encounter.
The man admitted to deputies that he had the rifle but said he only pointed it toward the lawn mower and not at any individual.
Deputies determined there was probable cause to charge him under Florida law.
He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, a felony offense.
Under state law, displaying a weapon in a threatening manner that causes fear can be enough to support the charge, even if it is not directly aimed at a person.
The man was taken to the St. Johns County Jail following his arrest.
