Seminole County, Florida — A dispute over a dog between neighbors in Seminole County spiraled into violence, with one party now facing an attempted murder charge. Charles Wade Huffman, 59, is accused of orchestrating a shocking attack on his neighbor by cutting off her power to force her outside, where he allegedly opened fire.
Deputies arrived at the scene on Harney Heights Road in the Geneva community around 5:00 p.m. last Friday, following reports of a shooting. They found a woman who claimed that Huffman, after giving her his dog three weeks prior, had been involved in several disagreements with her regarding the pet.
The victim reported that her electricity was abruptly cut off while she was at home. On going outside to investigate, she found that someone had turned off her external power breaker. Shortly after she restored the power and returned indoors, the power was cut off again. This time, upon looking outside, she noticed one of Huffman’s other dogs near her property.
Feeling threatened and suspecting Huffman was lurking outside, the woman armed herself and confronted Huffman, who was allegedly waiting outside her home with a gun. The situation rapidly escalated, resulting in Huffman reportedly shooting at her, grazing her neck. The woman fired back in self-defense but was unsure if she hit Huffman. Huffman then fired again, striking her front door, before fleeing the scene.
After a standoff lasting several hours, law enforcement officials surrounded Huffman’s residence, eventually persuading him to surrender. Huffman declined to comment following his Miranda rights advisement. Deputies confirmed the woman’s injuries were consistent with a bullet graze.
Huffman faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, criminal mischief causing property damage between $200 and $1,000, and discharging a missile into a dwelling. He is currently held without bond at the Seminole County Jail, with his arraignment scheduled for December 5.
This incident highlights the sometimes explosive nature of neighborhood disputes and the unexpected ways in which they can escalate. It serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of unresolved conflicts between neighbors.