Florida Man Arrested and Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Shooting Death of Neighbor Trimming Trees Along Property Line

A 78-year-old Florida man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of a 42-year-old neighbor who was trimming trees along the property line.

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that the incident occurred Sunday evening in DeLeon Springs, Florida. Edward S. Druzolowski, 78, allegedly threatened to shoot his neighbor, Brian J. Ford, 42, who was trimming tree limbs along the fence line between their homes.

Responding deputies found Ford with a gunshot wound and he was later pronounced dead at the scene. Druzolowski was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Volusia County Branch Jail.

The sheriff’s office said that the investigation is ongoing and that no further information is available at this time.

The shooting has shocked the local community, with neighbors expressing their condolences to Ford’s family. “It’s just a tragedy,” said one neighbor. “It’s so sad that something like this could happen over a disagreement about a property line.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of resolving disputes peacefully. “We all need to be mindful of how quickly a situation can escalate,” said another neighbor. “It’s so important to take a step back and try to find a peaceful resolution.”