VERO BEACH — Lifeguards asked a man to leave South Beach Park on Saturday afternoon after they received a complaint the man was cursing in front of children.
William Joyce, 60, of Vero Beach was packing up his belongings, according to the arrest affidavit, when he pointed what lifeguards believed to be a real gun in their direction.
According to the arrest affidavit, Ocean Rescue Lieutenant Kris Bottger and lifeguard Erik Toomsoo each told authorities they felt their lives were in danger when a belligerent Joyce revealed the gun.
Toomsoo was able to disarm Joyce and held the gun until police arrived.
The gun turned out to be a replica Glock style semi-automatic pistol, but was an airsoft pellet gun, not a real firearm.
According to the report, the airsoft pellet gun was all black with no visible orange tip and had a removable magazine.
Joyce faces charges of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor disorderly conduct. He is being held in lieu of $6,000 bond.
