DeLand Man, 71, Arrested After Firing Recklessly At An Imagined Intruder

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DeLand, FL – According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, a 71-year-old DeLand man was arrested after he recklessly fired several shots in his home and yard, refusing to let his daughter leave. At around 2 AM on Sunday, October 29, Herbert Tipton began firing shots from his yard on Brevity Lane in response to a suspected intruder. Tipton told his adult daughter that he thought he had shot someone and told her she couldn’t leave the house because the “intruder” may hurt them. At about 2:20 AM, Tipton began shooting inside the house. Deputies were able to conclude that Tipton was not firing at his daughter. At around 3:05 AM, Tipton’s daughter was able to climb out a bedroom window. A couple minutes later, Tipton peacefully agreed to drop his weapon and climb out of the window as well. Upon going through the house, several guns and ammunition were found. There was damage from a 12-gauge shotgun in several rooms and a bullet hole through one of the windows. Deputies concluded that the shot into the yard caused no damage or injuries. Tipton was arrested and taken into custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail. He was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment. This was the second time this month in which Tipton was involved in a gun incident. On October 18, a deputy responded to his residence when he armed himself in his front yard to fend off another perceived intruder. The deputy that responded knew Tipton personally and was able to disarm him without incident and place Tipton into protective custody. The same deputy spoke to Tipton during the October 29 incident.

(Tipton mugshot courtesy of Volusia County Corrections)

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