FELLSMERE — A Fellsmere man threatened to kill his father, a McDonald’s and gas station employee, and his father’s grandchildren, according to the Indian River Sheriff’s Office.
Charles Smith III, 27, faces charges of criminal mischief, assault/domestic violence, and battery, according to the report. He was arrested Midnight Tuesday at the McDonald’s on County Road 512 at Interstate 95.
Smith’s father said in a written statement that he was contacted by Smith about bringing $1,000 to him at the McDonald’s. If he didn’t, Smith was going to kill the gas station attendant, according to authorities.
Smith also told his father if he called the “cops” he would wave a pistol at law enforcement so that there would be no choice but to shoot and kill him for officer safety purposes, the report states.
When his father arrived, he stood behind the vehicle door and used the door for safety purposes because Smith was standing on the east side of the building with his hand behind his back pretending to conceal the pistol.
Smith then told his father that it would be in his best interest to stand behind the door for his safety. When his father said he did not bring the money Smith became angry.
Smith then told his father he was going to shoot him and the McDonald’s employee who was outside during the disturbance, according to the Sheriff’s Office. When his father was contacting 911, Smith slapped him in the hand causing the phone to fall and break.
As his father picked up the pieces, Smith threw the alleged firearm into the bushes. It was later found to be a 1911 style Marksman air pistol that had been kept in the waistband at his back.
Smith’s father then entered his vehicle and Smith punched through the window, according to the report.
During the incident, the McDonald’s employee went back inside and called 911. When the employee went back outside, he saw Smith’s father trying to hit Smith with the vehicle.
“I shot one bullet and made sure it fired and told him to come save these people’s lives!” Smith said after being taken into custody, according to the report. He also said, “give me $1,000 and I will leave or I will shoot you.”
His father also believed Smith was under the influence of cocaine and marijuana at the time of the incident.
Smith told authorities what he did was “blackmail and totally illegal, and that sucks,” the report states.
