Neighborhood Dispute Escalates to Gunfire, Elderly Victim Unfazed
A heated argument over an airboat’s disruptive leaves quickly spiraled into gunfire on April 3, 2025, in Ocala, leaving one man in handcuffs and another, 75, refusing to be baited into a fight.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Lance Wesley Tidwell, 43, was arrested after he allegedly pulled a .38-caliber revolver and fired shots into the ground during a confrontation with his elderly neighbor. The verbal altercation had begun when the victim, William Frederick Gabriel, came home to find his yard filled with flying leaves from Tidwell’s airboat. Things escalated as Tidwell reportedly began making violent threats, saying things like, “I’ll knock your ass out,” before producing the firearm.
Witnesses confirmed Tidwell’s aggression, with one capturing video footage of the argument, though it didn’t catch the gunfire itself. Gabriel, standing at least 10 feet away from the fence that separated the properties, backed away after the gun was drawn but did not engage, as he was unarmed and aware of Tidwell’s attempts to provoke him.
Tidwell, after being detained by deputies, admitted to firing the weapon, claiming there were no shell casings because the revolver doesn’t eject them. Despite this, the loaded revolver was later recovered, showing evidence of three fired rounds.
Gabriel, who remained calm throughout, opted to press charges, citing fear for his safety. Tidwell now faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
Tidwell was transported to the Marion County Jail, likely with more than just leaves on his mind.
