Indiana man accused of shooting neighbor over lawn mowing dispute

BROWNS VALLEY, Ind. ( WXIN ) — A central Indiana man is claiming self-defense after police said he shot his neighbor who was mowing grass near his property line.

Timothy Florence, 53, was arrested on Sunday by Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies after he allegedly shot his neighbor with a handgun.

He was later booked into jail and charged with attempted murder.

Deputies responded to a property in Browns Valley after receiving a call about a shooting around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Upon arrival, they said they found a 55-year-old man who had been shot once with a handgun while mowing near his property line.

The victim was initially looked at on scene by EMS crews before being flown to an Indianapolis-area hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is currently listed in stable but critical condition, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO).

Court records show that an eyewitness filmed cellphone video of the altercation. The video reportedly shows Florence holding a leaf blower near the victim, who was sitting on a zero-turn riding lawn mower near the property line.

Deputies who saw the video said it showed the victim blowing the cut grass off his property as Florence blew it back toward him with the leaf blower. Florence also reportedly pointed the leaf blower at the victim, blowing air at him.

The victim then began mowing in Florence’s direction, almost hitting his leg and causing him to step aside and blow air at the victim again, the court documents allege.

Florence then went behind the mower to the other side of the victim, drew a handgun from his holster and shot the victim, according to authorities.

Police interviewed Florence’s wife, who said she was watching TV in their home when she suddenly heard a gunshot. She said she went to the front door and saw the victim leaning over the mower as Florence walked toward her and said, “Get in the house, I just shot [the victim].”

Florence’s wife reportedly told deputies she felt the shooting was in self-defense. Florence himself agreed.

The suspect told deputies that he was “in fear of his life” and shot his neighbor one time with a Glock 43 9mm handgun that he had in his side holster, according to court records. Police said as the interview went on, Florence eventually said he was “done talking.”

This admission caused deputies to arrest Florence and charge him with attempted murder, MCSO said. The sheriff’s office has not provided any further information regarding the shooting.

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