INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 62-year-old was jailed after deputies said he shot his step-granddaughter’s boyfriend on Christmas after an argument about the man wearing his pants low. The wounded 32-year-old Fort Pierce man was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, reports show.
Deputies said the Fort Pierce man was walking back to his vehicle when Sean Harris fired two rounds from a .357-caliber revolver, striking the man once in the hip.
“Homeowner Sean Harris had numerous family members over to his residence for Christmas dinner,” Indian River County sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Kevin Jaworski said. “One of his family members brought their boyfriend to dinner. Mr. Harris asked the man to pull his pants up. This statement started a big argument which turned into a physical fight.”
Sean Harris
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Harris, of the 4500 block of 58th Avenue, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Harris was released Tuesday from the Indian River County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a shooting about 4:45 p.m. Monday at Harris’ residence. Deputies learned people at the gathering drove the Fort Pierce man to the hospital, but it was unclear which one.
Deputies spoke with Harris, who said he saw the boyfriend’s pants sagging earlier and did not approve, reports show. Harris said he then began to argue with other family members in the kitchen area.
The family said they began packing up food to leave and eat elsewhere when Harris continued making inappropriate remarks, reports show. Harris told deputies the family was threatening to beat him up.
Deputies said Harris and his step-grandson argued and then fought in the driveway. Harris said that as the family was attempting to break up the altercation, the Fort Pierce man punched Harris on the side of the head.
Harris told deputies he was in fear, grabbed the handgun and opened fire on the man. Deputies said nobody else at the scene pulled out a weapon.
Police recovered the gun Harris used from the residence, reports show.
Deputies arrested Harris and booked him into the county jail. Harris has an arraignment at 10 a.m. Feb. 1, court records show.
