Walnut Hill Man Charged With Shooting Son On Riding Lawn Mower

June 28, 2014

A Walnut Hill man was jailed Friday night for allegedly shooting his son on a riding lawn mower.

Marshall H. Harmon, 71, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon for the 7:20 p.m. incident on Breastworks Road about a mile west of North Pine Barren Road.

Harmon and his 32-year old son had become involved in a verbal altercation at a nearby home, deputies said. The son then fled on Breastworks Road on a riding lawn mower, the father following in his pickup truck.

When the elder Harmon pulled alongside his son on the riding mower, Harmon fired two shots in the son’s direction, according to Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.  It did not immediately appear that Harmon intended to shoot his son, but may have instead accidentally hit him.

One of the shots hit the son in the neck, but the officials said the wound did not appear to be life threatening.  The son was airlifted by Lifeguard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Harmon was taken into custody without incident at the scene of the shooting and remained in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $25,000.

Pictured top: Suspect Marshall Harmon stands against his truck (far left background) as an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy (center)  checks a weapon Harmon allegedly used to shoot his son Friday night on Breastworks Road. Pictured bottom inset: A deputy explains charges to Harmon. Pictured bottom: The shooting victim was airlifted from a field on Breastworks Road to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

Comments

15 Responses to “Walnut Hill Man Charged With Shooting Son On Riding Lawn Mower”

  1. Renee boy on July 1st, 2014 10:23 pm

    Marshall is still good man don’t know what happen but I know Marshall loves his son. He has been through a lot with his son.He loves his son so everyone pray for them both.and don’t be so quick to judge that’d not for us to do.

  2. Marc Cayson on June 30th, 2014 6:44 pm

    Pulling for you Marshall Hope they go easy.

  3. No Excuses on June 30th, 2014 10:07 am

    Don’t know the circumstances of the fight, but I do know that if you are angry, you don’t need to pick up a firearm. The only reason would be self defense. You have to be cooly calculating when you use a firearm – anger only breeds unfortunate events if a firearm is invovled. Let the guy go! He’ll be back, or you can find him later when things calm down.

  4. brie on June 30th, 2014 1:33 am

    Pops we r thinking of u know u have had a very rough time in the last several yrs and know that u have tried to help dusty and many others in so many ways and have tried to lead them in the right directions u r a great man and I know deep down something had to be going on that was pretty sever for u to do something like this and I also know u were just trying to stop him that u would never intentionally harm your child nor would u ever want to kill him prayers love and thought r with u and him let me know how u r doing love u

  5. Michelle on June 28th, 2014 8:49 pm

    GOD Bless you Marshall, you are a good man. I hope things work out for the better for you.

  6. Freddie T on June 28th, 2014 8:41 pm

    You have to be kidding me, riding in a pick up truck shooting at your son who is attempting a getaway on a ride on mower? You can’t make stuff like this up, not even if you write country music. I’m not sure alcohol is enough to make sense of this one, this just nuts pure and simple

  7. Puddin on June 28th, 2014 1:48 pm

    I know this is very serious, I dont mean to make light of it. Dad needs his head examined.

    But “he was running away on a lawn mower”! Really? Im sorry, I had to laugh at that part.

    Glad he isnt seriously injured, and hoping for a swift recovery. Hope the family gets the help they need.

    I must agree with Jeff. Dad needs to skip the weapons and, if booze was involved, sign up for AA.

  8. Bob C. on June 28th, 2014 1:09 pm

    Man, that is just messed up.
    Too many folks out there who think the only solution to a problem is shoot the other person.
    Could have very easily been murder or manslaughter.

  9. molino jim on June 28th, 2014 12:43 pm

    @ Snapper– Georges Jones used one to get to a bar— I guess you use what ever you can find when your father is shooting at you (not meaning to hit him). @ Jeff I’m with you on this. We sure have more fun here in the north end of the county than those folks in town.

  10. my thoughts on June 28th, 2014 12:13 pm

    This is a serious situation and I would bet there was alcohol involved, but there is a country song in there somewhere.

  11. Snapper on June 28th, 2014 9:50 am

    I can’t get past …”fled” on a riding lawn mower.

  12. mq on June 28th, 2014 9:24 am

    So true David Huie Green. My husband always has told me if you point a gun at someone you have to shoot to kill. Otherwise they may have a gun and shoot you first.And my Mom always raised us never to point a gun – play or real at anyone as it could kill or at least hurt someone. And water pistols were ok to “shoot” as long as we didn’t shoot at the face as it could harm the eyes. Some of the old fashioned rules are still applicable today!

  13. Jeff on June 28th, 2014 6:54 am

    I would have to say if he pulled up next to his son and fired shots in his direction, he intended to shoot him.

    Can we agree this man should never be allowed to own a firearm again?

  14. well on June 28th, 2014 6:38 am

    I hope his son is okay.
    But what the HELL!!!!!!

  15. David Huie Green on June 28th, 2014 1:23 am

    Don’t shoot unless you intend to kill,
    because IF you shoot, you MIGHT kill.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News