Argument Over A Dollar Lands Man Behind Bars

October 28, 2014

A dispute over a dollar payment that involved fake coins for cigarettes ended with an Escambia County man behind bars.

John Henry Hardy, 73,  was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, one count of aggravated battery, and one count possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Attucks Court. Pensacola Police Lt. Chuck Mallett said two women, both aged 24, got into an argument this morning with Hardy after one of them bought a couple of  cigarettes from him Sunday night and paid for them with fake coins.

This morning, Hardy saw the 24-year-old woman who had paid him with the fake money at a store, argued with her and then returned to his apartment where he retrieved a shotgun. As the  two 24-year-old women walked past his apartment, he confronted them again and one of the women gave him a real dollar in payment.

Mallett said the women then realized Hardy had a shotgun and fled the scene. He fired one time, and a pellet grazed a 19-year-old bystander on the arm. She drove herself to a hospital for treatment.

Hardy left the area in his car but turned himself in around 11 a.m. at police headquarters. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $15,000.

Comments

5 Responses to “Argument Over A Dollar Lands Man Behind Bars”

  1. Bob's Brother on October 28th, 2014 6:10 pm

    Although I agree with the ole duffer about being defrauded, take away the shotgun and I’m on his side.

  2. anonymous on October 28th, 2014 8:32 am

    Totally understandable to accept fake coins in the first place, and then attempt to shoot someone with a shotgun when you find out your were duped with play money.

    But seriously, no excuses. There is no excuse for threatening someone with, much less firing a shotgun at someone over $1.

  3. Not Condoning on October 28th, 2014 8:16 am

    Not Condoning what he did at all, but all could have been avoided had the young ones not tried to scam him in the first place.

  4. Bob C. on October 28th, 2014 7:50 am

    Another fine example of how our citizens manage their business transactions, settle their debts and resolve customer complaints.

    @ Don….you are spot on with this. “…Foolishness” indeed and we pay for this.

    Thankfully, crime is down in our county…or so they say.

  5. Don on October 28th, 2014 5:24 am

    And hard working tax payers pick up the tab for this foolishness!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News