POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities have arrested a Frostproof man following a disturbance at the North Lake Reedy boat ramp on Saturday evening, where gunshots were reported near individuals on the water.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies responded to the boat ramp at approximately 7:42 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with two teenagers and an adult who stated they heard gunshots and saw bullets strike the water close to their boat.
The adult victim told investigators that he observed an older white male with a long rifle. The victim attempted to signal the individual by waving his arms.
However, he reported that the suspect then raised the rifle again and pointed it in their direction. Fearing for their safety, the adult instructed the juveniles to get down while he quickly moved the boat away from the area.
PCSO detectives were able to locate and identify the suspect as 69-year-old James Robert Fatout of Frostproof.
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Fatout reportedly told detectives that he was shooting at birds over the lake and denied pointing his firearm at the victims. However, the Sheriff’s Office stated that Fatout later made a statement saying, “At least I got a shot at ’em before y’all got here.”
James Fatout was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the county jail. He has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Improper Exhibition of a Firearm.
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