A Leesburg man is accused of pointing a gun at a man and his son during an argument between neighbors.
Charles Richard Housworth, 46, of 10716 Kentucky Ave., was charged with simple battery and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the incident, which happened Friday.
The first victim told a Lake County sheriff’s deputy he was inside his residence when he saw Housworth and his neighbor outside yelling. He said he stepped out of his home and told Housworth to leave his property. When the victim approached Housworth, he pulled out a black handgun and pointed it at him, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The victim said Housworth started to push him on his chest with his left hand while holding the gun in his right hand. The victim said after about 10 minutes of arguing, Housworth left on foot. He said he feared for his and his son’s life during the incident, the report said.
A witness told the deputy she was sitting in the passenger seat of her truck when Housworth started yelling at her, accusing her and her friends of trying to break into his residence the night before. The witness described the suspect as a older white male, with a ponytail and “piercing blue” eyes, wearing a T-shirt and blue jeans. She said the victim came out of his residence and approached Housworth, who pulled out a medium-sized firearm and pointed it at his chest, according to the report.
A second witness said Housworth approached the property yelling. The witness said Housworth pulled out a firearm when the victim came out of his residence and approached him. A third witness said he only saw Housworth push the victim and did not see a gun in his hand, the report said.
The victim’s son said he heard his father yelling outside and came out to see what was going on. He said when he stepped outside the residence, Housworth “pulled a gun” on him. He also said he was afraid for his life, according to the report.
Housworth’s roommate told the deputy Housworth called him while he was at work and said he went to the neighbor’s house and tried to have a civil conversation with them. He said Housworth told him that the first victim tried to punch him, so he showed “the gun” and they went their separate ways. Houseworth’s roommate described his weapon as a Smith & Wesson 9mm Shield, adding that he did not give Housworth permission to use it, the report said.
Housworth was arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail, where he was released later that day on $5,000 bond. He will appear in Lake County Court on July 11.
