A Leesburg man was arrested for battery after allegedly stabbing his brother with a broken fish net handle.
Officers responded to a physical altercation involving a knife at a residence on South Lone Oak Drive at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department. Upon arrival, he met with the brother of 54-year-old Thomas Gills and two witnesses.
The brother advised that he was under the carport of the residence when he saw a vehicle park in the driveway. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Gills abruptly opened the passenger door and stepped out. He spotted the brother under the carport and threatened to “kill” him as he got closer, the report said.
This started an argument over the brother talking to one of the witnesses, with whom Gills was romantically involved. The situation escalated, and Gills noticed a nearby wooden pole attached to a fishing net. He broke the handle off the pole and lunged at the brother with it, the report said.
Gills then pierced the brother’s right shoulder. He tried to defend himself by grabbing the broken handle from Gills and pushing him away to create distance. Gills laughed at him, lunged once more and repeatedly scratched his face. Soon after, Gills grabbed a nearby water hose and hit him in the back with it, the report said.
The brother suffered multiple scratches on both sides of his face, a small puncture wound on the back of his right shoulder blade, and severe redness on his lower back with a small open wound. The officers found the fishing net and broken pole, as well, the report said.
The two witnesses corroborated the brother’s statement, and they advised that Gills went to Karl Street. The officers searched the area until they found him near Hollywood Drive. As soon as they spoke to him, he admitted striking the brother with a stick, the report said.
He did not specify what type of stick was used, but he stated they argued about the brother talking to his romantic interest. He subsequently refused to answer any more questions, the report said.
A check of Gills’ criminal history revealed one prior battery conviction on June 18, 2002, the report said.
Gills was arrested on charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (domestic). He was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $25,000 bond.