An 84‑year‑old man in Florida has been charged with attempted murder after he fired a gun into the face of his son during a heated exchange about the son’s visits to his ailing mother, who is undergoing hospice care. Officers arrived at his Palm Bay home on Tuesday night when his daughter‑in‑law called emergency services, reporting that the father‑in‑law had “just shot her husband in the head.” The victim was found barely able to talk; the bullet shattered and lodged in his face and jaw.
Nowak lives with his wife, who recently entered in‑home hospice care, and their disabled daughter. Police said he had been “taking care of both of them.” The son and daughter‑in‑law came by regularly, but when they arrived around 6 p.m. the argument escalated after Nowak expressed frustration that they had not visited over the weekend. The confrontation quickly turned to gun threats, with Nowak allegedly warning, “Get out of my house, or I’m going to shoot you,” before rushing to his bedroom to load a firearm. His wife followed him, pleading for him to drop the gun, but he ignored her and moved toward their son.
After the shooting, Nowak put the gun back in his bedroom and seemed bewildered, asking, “What just happened?” and then crying and screaming. Police found a wet substance—likely blood—on the kitchen floor and a single bullet casing. A gun was also recovered from his bedroom, and authorities noted suspected blood on the driveway. Nowak was transported to a medical facility for high blood pressure; he appeared incoherent and could not answer questions. The son’s condition was not immediately disclosed.
Nowak was medically cleared on Wednesday and booked into the Brevard County Jail, where a judge ordered that he remain in custody without bond. He is slated to appear in court on January 8, according to records. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has yet to comment on the case.
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