TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Argument Became Pointed With Sword, Deputies Say

ADVERTISEMENT

By LISA A. DAVIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

HUDSON - It's a simple mathematical equation: One man holding a 36-inch sword 6 inches away from another man could equal trouble.

That was the setup at a mobile home around 4 p.m. Monday, according to a Pasco County Sheriff's Office report.

When 51-year-old Timothy Jones and his 22-year-old daughter, Tiffany Smith, arrived home after shopping, they were met by her angry boyfriend, who lives with them, according to the report. Justin Paul Gunter, 22, started yelling at Smith, and her father told him to "knock it off."

Gunter went to his bedroom, and the father followed close behind and watched as Gunter picked up a black-handled samurai sword, the report states.

Standing just inches from Jones, Gunter reportedly threatened the father and pointed the long blade toward him.

"Get out of my way or I am going to stab you with this," Gunter said, according to the report.

Jones told deputies he was so scared he just grabbed the sword and threw it on the bed behind Gunter. No one was injured.

Gunter reportedly told deputies he was upset that his girlfriend didn't pick him up before she went shopping. He said he did get the sword but didn't plan to use it, the report states.

"He advised he has an anger problem and needs to get some medication to help him keep it under control," the deputy wrote.

Gunter, of 10047 Earl Court, was at the Land O' Lakes Jail on Tuesday, charged with aggravated assault. Bail was set at $5,000.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT