Peter Petraglia - Florida Man Shoots Gun; Chases Neighbor With Machete In Dispute Over Watering Yard Plants

Hudson, Florida (The Weekly Vice) -- Peter John Petraglia, a 62-year-old Hudson, Florida man has been arrested after police say he fired a gun at a neighbor and then chased him with a machete over a dispute about watering yard plants.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Department, Petraglia and neighbor Joseph DeSousa, 46, began to argue Tuesday morning over the watering of yard plants. Petraglia had planted shrubs in the neighborhood common area behind DeSousa's home, but became enraged when DeSousa refused to water them.

Later the same day, police say the two neighbors engaged in another argument while standing in Petraglia's driveway.

Investigators say Petraglia and DeSousa parted company briefly, each returning to their homes, however Petraglia emerged from his home a short time later carrying a .38 caliber pistol and a machete. He then walked two houses down to DeSousa's home, threatening to shoot him if he didn't stop arguing with him.

Authorities say when DeSousa tried to walk away, Petraglia fired the gun in his direction, raised a machete into a striking position and then chased DeSousa into his home. He then slashed DeSousa's screen door with the machete, according to the arrest report.

DeSousa acknowledged that he and his neighbor Petraglia yelled profanities over each other, but maintains that he will not water plants that aren't his.

"He kind of thinks he owns the place. He planted the shrubs and they're like his babies," DeSousa said. "I'm not going to water them. They're not my plants. I don't care."

Petraglia was arrested on one count of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm in public. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail without jail.

Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
http://www.theweeklyvice.com



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