Man Hit His Neighbor, Age 72, With A Shovel And Threatened To Kill Him, ECSO Says

August 8, 2023

An Escambia County man has been charged with hitting a man in his 70s and threatening to kill him with a shovel.

Richard Patrick Erie, 54, was charged with one count each of battery on a person 65 years or older and aggravated assault on a person 65 years or older.

The 72-year old victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office he was working in his garden when Erie walked up and grabbed a shovel. Erie shoved the victim to the ground using the shovel handle, then applied force on the victim’s neck with the shovel while threatening to kill him, according to an ECSO arrest report. The victim said Erie was intoxicated.

According to the report, Erie and the victim are nextdoor neighbors.

Erie requested a lawyer and would not speak with deputies following the incident.

Erie was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Comments

7 Responses to “Man Hit His Neighbor, Age 72, With A Shovel And Threatened To Kill Him, ECSO Says”

  1. derek on August 9th, 2023 8:07 am

    The first thing alcohol affects is judgement! This bad judgement should result in a felony conviction.

  2. Billy G on August 9th, 2023 5:40 am

    @ Michael…THE VICTIM WAS 70!!!! Who cares if there’s more to the story. It’s sad that this has developed into what it has but you don’t go around beating up on/threatening our senior citizens no matter what reason you have. Prayers for the victim and this young fella should be slap embarrassed/ashamed of himself…feel like a bigger man now?

  3. Michael on August 8th, 2023 10:25 pm

    There is much more to this story! I know Richard and he wouldn’t just attack his neighbor.

  4. Big tough guy on August 8th, 2023 4:39 pm

    Wow, big tough guy goes after a 70 year-old man in his garden. Hope you impressed yourself because there’s other people who want to meet you in a more “personal “ way…….

  5. Dennjs on August 8th, 2023 11:43 am

    JTV, you got that right. Had a guy at the end of a road rage wasn’t near as bad when I pulled my pistol grip pump 12 gauge and ‘racked it’ after he pulled in my driveway and got out. He got back in his car and left faster than he arrived. Happened many years ago. I was about 50 then and he was probably 30 something and a big guy. I was about 150lbs. I felt I needed something to make it a fair fight – lol.

  6. Bill T on August 8th, 2023 11:33 am

    Stand your ground !!!!! It will happen again you’ll see except this time a different outcome !!!! Ask him if he’s prepared to meet his maker and to tell god he’s on his way !!!!!

  7. JTV on August 8th, 2023 6:12 am

    Pack heat 72 year old man, he ain’t done and he’s out