A central Indiana man is claiming self-defense after shooting his neighbor during a dispute over mowing grass.
Timothy Florence, 53, was arrested on Sunday by Montgomery County sheriff’s deputies after the incident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. in Browns Valley. The victim, a 55-year-old man, was mowing grass near his property line when he was shot once with a handgun. He was initially treated by EMS crews at the scene before being flown to an Indianapolis hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is currently listed in stable but critical condition, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO).
According to court records, an eyewitness captured the incident on video. 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. The victim was blowing cut grass off his property, while Florence was blowing it back toward him with the leaf blower.
The video also shows Florence pointing the leaf blower at the victim, blowing air at him. The victim then began mowing in Florence’s direction, nearly hitting his leg. Florence stepped aside and blew 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 heard a gunshot. 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 told deputies she believed the shooting was in self-defense, and Florence himself agreed. He told deputies that he was ‘in fear of his life’ and shot his neighbor with a Glock 43 9mm handgun that he had in his side holster, according to court records.
The sheriff’s office has not provided any further information regarding the shooting.
