Earlier this year, we were contacted by a viewer regarding an encounter they experienced while hunting around and underneath a dock in Santa Rosa County, Florida. While hunting, a man later identified as William reportedly approached the dock and began firing a 22 caliber pistol while demanding they leave. [music] Shortly after, a woman came out and began yelling at them as well. Deputies with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office responded to the call. >> Simple. You have to go somewhere else. >> Okay. And what you got in your hand over there? >> I got nothing in my hand. >> Oh, really? >> You go ahead. Do what you want. But I'm not getting off my dog. >> Okay. >> You leave. >> And you're going to keep shooting that gun of yours. >> You got a gun. >> I am hunting. You understand the difference or No, >> I'm allowed to duck hunt. >> If you are >> with the gun, you're not allowed to duck hunt. You better read up on some regulations, man. >> Get out from under the >> I'm not getting out anywhere. And you're getting the call from FWC. >> Commercial fisherman. My ass. >> I figure. >> Do you think after he shot at us? I think we'll wait until FWC hits and we'll see what they say. >> I'll shoot him. I >> Where did he shoot at? >> Where did he shoot at? >> In the air. >> Huh? >> In the air. >> With what purpose? To intimidate hunters. It's a misdemeanor of thirdderee in Florida. It's called hunter harassment. Interfering with somebody. house. >> Basically on our property, >> you think? Well, let's wait until WC comes and see what they say. Cuz I'm not on your property. I'm in the navigable waterways. Okay. >> Sitting here under our dog. >> Yeah. Under your dog, >> which we cannot use while you're >> How you cannot use. >> You think we can sit out here? >> Yeah. Come out and sit. You cannot come and shoot at us. >> Shut the >> I will. I am. In fact, >> here with you. >> Sure. Yeah, >> that's you want. You also want a case of harassment for you. >> That's fine. You want to sit? >> This is my dock. >> Yeah, >> I can sit on my dog. >> Sure. >> But I don't appreciate people standing here with weapons at my dock. >> Hunted. >> How do I know that? >> What do you mean? Look around you. What do you see? >> Fake. >> Yeah. So, what do you think it means? >> Is this Is this exciting for you? Is this exciting for you? >> No. >> Says lady whose husband just came out and shot at us with a gun. >> Brandishing the weapon. I mean, it's all on video. Whatever you want to say. >> All units and morale. There is going to be duck hunters. I'm sorry. Duck hunters are being harassed by a resident at this address. He's firing a pistol in their direction because they were near his dock. SWC's 1051 from Pensacola. 10 more >> 65. Is this address the where the shooter was at? Hey, are you you guys call us? >> Well, shooting myself. >> Did you guys call us? Did y'all call us? Did you call us? >> Can't hear you. Did you guys call us? >> I did. >> You just got here? >> Yeah, I worked here. >> Like, is there anyone home? >> Is there anyone home? >> Yes, sir. >> Did you guys hear gunshots or anything? >> No, sir. >> We just pulled up, man. >> You like 5 minutes ago? Like, you literally just pulled up? >> Just pulled up. Just pulled up. I got water pumping in the well. That's how long I've been here. >> But, uh, home runs in the back. Okay. >> 65. I'm trying to figure out where they're at. They just got here. >> There's a another homeowner. >> That's her. That's his wife. >> The shooting is coming from the duck hunters are near the dock. >> That's call. >> Yeah. They're under the dock. I can see them. >> So, that's what's up, guys. I go back to work. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Thanks. Do you know the homeowner's name? >> His His name's Will and I'm not sure. >> Okay. >> Y >> she's on the dock, but I think they're sitting under it. >> Hey, maybe like have her guns out because if this guy comes out and points a gun at me, I'm going to shoot him. Hey, sir. Are you armed? >> Uhoh. >> No. No. >> Did you shoot a pistol? >> I shot a pistol into the water out by my dog. >> Just cuz they were arms. I I wanted to get their attention was all >> Okay. >> Fair. I'll pat you down. >> I'll pat me down. >> We got a call that you were shooting at them. >> Oh, no, no, no, no, no. >> So, um, what were they doing there? I I said, "You guys got to get out from under my dock." Okay, that's the repairarian law. They're not allowed under my dock. They can go wherever they want. They're not allowed under my dock. But that was after I just got there because they had guns. >> When I got out to the dock out there, I just I just shot a couple times in the water. Got their attention because they weren't very cooperative when I was talking. But I >> I probably should have shot. I I don't know. >> She pointed it at the I just shot it like that. 524. >> What kind of gun are we talking about? A 22 pistol. >> Where's that over at right now? >> It's up in the house. >> Whoever's in Who's in 102? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You want to go talk to them and figure that part out? >> Yeah. The call came in. We can go in here so we're not getting rained on. The call came in as if like you were shooting at someone. If I was shooting at him, I might have hit him. I mean, yeah. I just I to tell you, I was only scaring away the ducks. just to scare away the dogs. >> But >> why are they why are they under your dock? >> They're not supposed to be. That's my point. Did >> they say why they're under there? >> They said we we have the right to be under your dock. >> But they don't. And they wouldn't leave. So I just came back to the house and called FWC, which I guess you showed up instead. >> Hey, Dunford, can you stay over here with me? They're going to go um they're going to one of them is going to take primary. They're going to go talk to them and figure out what their side of it is. Ultimately, what happened was they're underneath this dock. So, we shot into the ground to get their attention because they have guns and was like, "You're not allowed to be under my dog. Get out of my dock." >> So, they wasn't anywhere near them. I was clear back up at this end of the dock. >> Okay. So, they called us like, "Hey, we're being shot at." But he was he wasn't shooting at them. He was shooting to get their attention. >> Yeah. >> And then they refused to get out from under the dock. So, I called FWC. Are they still That's the people, right? Under the docks. So, >> that's my wife standing out there now. >> Are they still under the dock? >> They're still under. Okay. >> Where's the fire room? Let me put it up. >> It's back in my nightstand in the bedroom. >> I don't know why FWBC's out if they're going to take this or Sorry, you guys had to come out. I hear the >> I probably shouldn't have I should have I mean I yelled at him but they wouldn't I [clears throat] >> I was h sound asleep when shotguns start blast going off in my backyard. I'm still a little groggy. You guys got here fast. >> Yeah. Well came in as a shooting. >> Oh jeez. >> So I thought I was going to roll up here and get shot at. [laughter] No, that was more like to scare off the ducks than anything else. But I I I don't know. I was pretty angry that my wife saying, "You got to do something. You got to do something." So, I should have probably called you guys first, but I figured if I told them to get out from under the dock, they would leave. Get out from I don't care. They're allowed to stand wherever they want. I don't lease the repairarian rights here, but under my dock that's mine, and then you can get out from under the dock. I have I all the time I have boats out there tying up to my dock, which you're not allowed to do. People jumping up on my dock and fishing, which you're not allowed to do. And I constantly have to go out here and say, "Guys, you can't be on or under my dock." So that's the problem here. Somebody comes out and she was reddish in a weapon shooting. I mean, he was shooting right from the dock forward and he said, "I'm going to shoot your deep boys. I'm going to shoot at your dogs. I'm going to shoot at you." >> Basically, >> he says, "I own I own the land on the dock. We're carrying rides. >> Just grab these and just kind of hang out and we'll if we want to go over here, >> you want us just hanging out here." Well, if we're here, might as well just, you know, wait the dogs. Thanks for not handcuffing me. >> [laughter] >> I didn't even know there was anything illegal about discharging a firearm since they were shooting. >> Yeah. Well, hunting's different. The call came in as if that you were shooting at them. So that obviously you weren't doing that. You're shooting at the ground. >> Yeah. No, we're going to we're basically we're going to investigate, find out if if a crime occurred. If it didn't, then we'll leave and that'll be that. Your question about the dock I'm going to have to look into cuz I know that it can't be on your dock underneath it. I don't know. I'm going to have to look that up >> because you can't own the water and >> you can lease it which I don't have it leased right now. >> But the my understanding of repairing rights is the dock and everything under >> 65 to higher. Do they want to press charges or anything? >> Was your wife present for any of this or no? >> Were you watching, man? Yes. >> I never shot at them >> in any way, shape, form, or fashion. >> I don't appreciate those guys being as rude as they are. >> Why? What' they do? >> They were rude. They're like, "We're asking you to leave now." And I'm like, "This is my job. >> Why? I want to know what's going on." He goes, "No, you get out of here." >> That's what they told me. They said, "We're allowed to be here." >> Well, the thing is is like when people call, >> be nice. >> Okay. Well, yeah. Okay. >> Not rude and condescending and nasty. >> These guys, >> I didn't do anything. It's them. >> Yeah. They told me to get the out of there. I'm interrupting their hunting. >> Okay. And I can be on my dock, >> right? Yeah. >> They're telling You guys are telling me I can't. >> Well, they're interviewing the people that called us. >> They called and said I was shooting. I'm trying to trying to shoot them. >> And those guys? >> I don't know. >> Um, can I get your guys' information? Sure. >> Yeah. What's her name? Sir, >> who are they with? Are they with Senator >> Senator Sheriff's Office? >> I will be complaining. >> September. >> Uh, we'll figure it out here in a second what what we're what we need to do, whether it's trespass them or whatever. >> Are they allowed to do that? >> Well, that's the thing. I'm going have to I'm not an expert on that. So, I understand they can't go on your dock. And if they're underneath their dock, you can't you can't own the water or the sand. So, I am not aware of them not being able to be underneath your dock. I'll verify that before I make a decision. >> That's what I was told by the when I about repairing rights is you're not allowed to be under someone's dock. >> I'll have to look that up, sir, before I uh I'll have to get back to you on that. >> I can't I can't I haven't ran into this while they're out there and that's not >> ran into this before. Like I've ran into people being on people's docks. >> I've had that issue. I've had the underneath the dock issue. >> People shooting. >> Can someone dock? >> Uhoh. >> Yes. Someone can be under your private dock but considered trespassing if they don't have a permission to be on your private. I have to look it up because chat GPT and AI gives people the wrong legal advice all the time. I deal with that all the time. >> Whether on the dock or in the water directly beneath it, >> you have the right to ask them to leave. >> That makes common sense. >> And that could be the case. I'm going to have to make sure. I'm going to have to verify that. >> Charges. >> What's it? What? >> Okay. All right. They want to uh >> press charges. >> Yeah. But we don't know if we if there's a crime yet. So, >> okay. >> I got your side of it. Um, can you raise the right hand? You swear affirm what you told me is true and factual is the best your knowledge. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> They were packing firearms, so I figured I'd better take one with me. You never know. >> I got you. >> That's the only reason I carried the gun down there. >> The suspect's cooperative. >> Say again. >> Suspect's cooperative. is. >> So, basically [clears throat] what happened was there's duck hunters underneath his dock that were hunting, shooting. They came out there, yell at him, "Get out of get underneath, get out of my dock." Like, he said he doesn't care if they're back there, but he he doesn't want them on his dock. He doesn't want them underneath his dock. He thinks that's his his he got the right to repair. He said that's his property is underneath the dock and he doesn't want them there. They weren't listening and they started cussing at him. So he shot into the dirt. He said he never shot at them. He shot into the ground to get their attention and like get the out of here. >> Um and that's what they called about. So question, can people be underneath people's docks? Cuz I don't know. >> It's a It's a It's a gray area. I mean, it's Did they touch Are they touching the dock? Cuz the water he doesn't own. He can't >> Exactly. Exactly. >> He own the dock, >> but are they on it? Are they not They're not on it. Are >> they touching it underneath it like holding on to it or touching something? No, they're just standing there underneath it shooting at ducks under tall dock. >> They have clearance enough like they're not touching his dock. They're just underneath his dock. >> Are they still here also? >> Yes. >> All right. Um, let me go talk to them first and get there. >> Yeah. >> Is he uh >> Watch out for that dog poop right there? >> The resident is He's not armed right now, is he? >> No. Okay. >> No, no, no. He said that he was a 22. It's up in in the top story in the second floor of his house. He did it to get their attention. He never He said he never shot it at them. Um they want to pursue charges. Really, it boils down to is that his property or not? >> Yeah. >> Which my understanding and I told him I'd have to get back to him on that cuz my understanding from everything I know is you can't own the water and you can't own the sand. You own the dock. But so if they're just on the in the water underneath your dock, then it's a owner over here. >> Yeah. But I don't know that for a fact. I told him I have to look it up. So, I don't know if he told you, but I talked to those guys are out there duck hunting. Um, >> is it this dock right here? >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, they have all their decoys set up. They were underneath kind of chilling, I guess, underneath their >> the very end down there. >> Yeah. He came out, saw it, walked up to the water line, uh, popped off a couple rounds with the 22 into the water just he said to scare off ducks that were coming in. And then he walked over there and confronted him. Uh he said he >> point the gun at the people. >> They're saying when he was on the water line he did, but he said he just walked up. >> Did they have video? >> No. >> It just shows him once once he popped off rounds, he walked on the dock, started >> Yeah. Walked on the dock, started arguing with them, telling him to leave. Can't be, you know, in the water underneath my dock and doing their stuff. >> All right. I'm I'm going to go talk to the hunters first and then I'll come talk to the to the resident just to get their story. >> Yeah. Uh, and see [clears throat] exactly where they were, so I can just put my eyes on it. >> See, they accused me of shooting. >> How do you know they were shooting at us? >> They were shooting like crazy. How do you know which direction we're shooting? >> You don't. >> I'm officer Brave FWC, by the way. >> Not nearly as good as I was yesterday. >> Well, I can see that. So, can you just tell me in your own words kind of what conspired this morning? >> They've been shooting out there since daylight and hide under my dock. >> Okay. >> So, at some point, we get tired of it. I walked out on the dock and when I got about to the water line, I got there was some ducks coming. I shot my pistol into the water a couple times right there as I walked out on the dock. And then I walked out and I put my pistol behind my back so there wasn't anything threatening. I said, "Uh, I you guys just need to get out from under my dock. >> If you want to duck hunt out here, you can duck hunt out here, but you can't be under my duck." >> Okay. So, from I'll tell you from legal standpoint, the only thing you own is the dock and the pylons. the water and the ground underneath the water belongs to unless you have something that the state gave you permission to own that which I have never ever seen. The state does not sell the water rights or the actual ground underneath the water. >> I just went went through state statute and did some research just now and I haven't even talked to him about this. I actually tested what I came to as well that conclusion. >> Unfortunately, yes. Someone >> I mean if you disagree man you're going to have to sit down and really go through it. Don't just trust whatever AI tells you cuz it it don't you'll have to research that later. Okay. >> Well, I can tell you I deal with this all the time. That's my job, especially when it comes to docks and waters cuz a lot of homeowners and a lot of times people are trespassing because they're they actually get on the dock or they attach something to the pylon. If they come up on a boat, they can come all the way up to the shoreline. >> Understand that. >> But if they attach something to your to your dock and more to it, >> I understand. >> Now that's your property and you can ask them to get off of it. >> And it goes the same thing whether they're walking in the water. If they're under the dot, there's really nothing you can do about it. On a strictly legal standpoint, do I think it's a good Do I think it's good etiquette? I myself don't, but that's just my personal opinion. Okay? But on a legal standpoint, they are perfectly legal to be under there. As long as you're not messing with anything and can't rule anything or attaching anything to it. If you did see that, that'd be a different scenario. Okay? And it's unfortunate. Um, I think the biggest thing that has caused a bigger problem today is the introduction of a firearm. this. I'm going to let ESO, I think, handle this. I think I'm just here saying, hey, they they are in a legal position where they were to be hunted. Um, those guys, I asked them to uh way back to the public access to their vehicle. >> I would see. So, we got sworn statements from them. We haven't gotten written statements. We're going to need written statements. They want to press charges, right? >> Yeah. >> It's up to you. We can I wouldn't do an arrest. I would do a warrant. That's why >> I think he I think he did commit a crime though because if they're legal to be there and they're good to be there and you come out and you shoot a gun, you can't discharge a firearm in a residential neighborhood. So, I think that's totally uncalled for and we need to see if he wants to do written statement and we need to try to collect that firearm if we can and probably write a warrant up on [clears throat] him if they want if we have we have victims that want to do something. So, >> do you mind if we see this firearm? Is it like a rifle? What is it? Can we find out where the where this where the casings are and stuff? We couldn't find it, Richard. >> It's a revolver. >> Oh, it's a revolver. Okay, that makes sense now. >> What is it? >> Okay. So, did you want to do a written statement or anything or No, we're we're required to ask. So, here's the thing. I have your statement on camera. So, if you don't want to write one, that's fine. I'm supposed to offer it. That's So, basically, where we're at in this is we're going to see we're going to take it to a judge and see if there's enough to charge you with disarm discharging a firearm. The If the judge says no, then we're done. That's it. If they say yes, then you'll be charged with discharging a firearm. >> I'm not allowed to discharge a firearm. >> No, not here. This is a This is a residential area. >> They were discharging fire. >> They're shooting at ducks. >> They're hunting. >> So if I'm shooting at If I'm hunting, I can discharge firearm, >> right? But you weren't you were out there getting in a disturbance. If we live in in law and order, so if you get in an argument with someone that's hunting and you shoot into the ground, you're probably going to go to jail. Like we're going to do a warrant, you're pro you're probably going to go to jail cuz that's illegal. You can't get into arguments. Well, you can't get into arguments with people and then shoot off firearms. Like that's >> I never said a word to them before I shot the firearm. >> Not a word. >> But they're allowed to be there though. >> Well, as it turns out, they are. But when I looked on >> Instead of instead of going out there and asking him to leave, you went out there and shot a gun off before you said anything. >> Understand? >> Is it a serious crime? No. I don't even I We could probably go with aggravated assault. I don't know if we need to escalate that. I'm thinking more of just discharging a firearm in a residential area. I would I think you've been cool with me. I don't have a problem with you. I'm okay with us taking it to a judge and letting them make a decision on that. >> I feel really bad. I try to be a good lawying >> No. And I know that's why I'm That's why I feel like we should go to a judge and ask their opinion on it before we just arrest you because you are li law-abiding a citizen. I don't think you lied to me. I think you you obviously didn't think you're doing anything wrong. >> I didn't. >> Yeah. So, >> I appreciate that. >> Yeah. No problem. >> I think maybe your emotions probably might have got the best of you in the situation. I wasn't here for any of this just right now, but probably I mean taking a gun with you is one thing. >> Well, I took the guns because they had guns. >> Well, when that's what I'm saying. We have the right to bear arms. >> Yes. >> In in the right manners and stuff like that. >> Carry permit. >> So, that's that's one thing. But I think brandishing the firearm and then pulling off around when they didn't I'm just speculating. They didn't get aggressive with you. They didn't threaten you in any way >> and maybe your emotions just got the best of you. >> But again, I had no idea since they were shooting and I've heard other people shooting for weeks that [clears throat] it was okay to discharge a firearm back there. >> Oh, if you're hunting, you can >> Well, see, I didn't that that that little stipulation I wasn't I mean, so it's okay if you're hunting to discharge a firearm, but if you like you're shooting at a target. >> Correct. No. >> Well, I had no idea that >> unless unless I'm going to have to look at the zoning here. I believe this is residential. There's parts of the county that are agriculturally zoned where you can shoot guns like up towards Jay when there's lots of land and less people you can but like drive I'm pretty sure is res is residential. >> You're probably right. Well, I appreciate you guys being nice to me. It's a pretty bad day for me [laughter] and I don't I I can't if I was I guess I was upset that they're shooting in my backyard. I wasn't angry enough to do anything crazy. >> Yeah. >> But that's why I just, like I said, when I walked out there, I made sure that they that after I shot the gun, it was behind my back. I didn't want to feel threatened. Told them, "Hey, you guys, please get out." Okay. My dot. >> Okay. Well, it does make a difference. We We're not going to go with the felony charge and it'll be a misdemeanor if you if you do get charged. if the judge signs off on it. [clears throat] >> If they don't, then you're good. >> When When will we know all this? >> Um I don't It's not till next week cuz it's this weekend. >> Usually it takes about 5 days or >> But so you you you going to you call me or you come back out here. What do you do? >> They'll they'll probably come back out here and let you know you got a warrant. What you can do though is um you can call the uh office D1 office I'm assuming call the D1 non-emergent office on like say Thursday and say you know you're just checking to see if you had a warrant for your arrest or whatever and they should be able to tell you if you did or not and then if you do then you can go up to the main >> okay >> main office and turn yourself in and and take care of it yourself. >> All right. [clears throat] It's not the end of the world, but it's something that's I know you're going to think about for the next few days. >> Anything like this ever happened to me. >> Understood. All right, I'm going to have you guys write out some statements of pretty much what happened. Pretty much what you told us. You're just going to write it out. And uh >> what are they saying? >> Uh I mean, he didn't [clears throat] necessarily disagree with you guys of >> Did he come in with the gun on the dock? >> Yeah, he said he had the gun out there. So Um but yeah, he just I think the big issue was not knowing the actual >> and I I tried to because you know I'm a legal in the law firm. I'm passing the bar in July. I I was very calm in explaining it to him up to the point when he started pointing the gun. >> That's what I was telling. He know he knows what he's talking about on the video. He's spitting all statutes and all kinds of stuff. So, but um whoever wants to go first. Do we all need to do it or >> Yeah. >> Do you do you want us to ride or do you want us to dictate to you and you ride? >> No, you can ride. You guys can ride them. >> You usually come for the hunter harassment tour or is it just because of the gun involvement? >> Yeah, pretty much >> cuz uh they actually didn't call us. They called FWC and >> Yeah. And then they called us. >> Yeah. >> I called non-emergency cuz I know that usually hunter harassment they usually deal with. So I didn't want to call. >> Yeah. Since the the gun and stuff came out of play, they they call us cuz we >> shaking. >> Yeah. Put all write all that in there. Be sure you uh detail it. >> Okay. Thank you guys so much. We appreciate you coming. Like I said, sorry you got a little bit wet, too, and wait on. Really appreciate it, guys. It means a lot, you know, that you were here. >> Sorry your day got ruined. >> Yeah, it's okay. There's many more to come. We're alive. That's all that matters. That's kind of was the big scare, you know, getting out over there. >> Yeah. >> No dogs are worth it, but at the same time, like I said, it's just >> you can't let it fly when when something like that happens. You just >> I don't blame you. >> Thank you guys. Have a good one. >> Take it easy. >> In the end, William was charged with discharging a firearm in public or on residential property and three counts of disruption or harassment of hunters. Kathy was charged with three counts of disruption or harassment of hunters. They have both pled not guilty and their cases remain ongoing. If you like this video and want to see more like it, subscribe to Arrest Cam. As always, thanks for watching. [music]