Palm Bay, FL – An 84-year-old Florida man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shooting his son in the face during a dispute over a missed visit to his wife, who is under in-home hospice care, authorities confirmed.
The incident took place Tuesday evening at the family home on Hawksbill Street Northwest in Palm Bay.
Dispute Over Missed Visit Turns Violent
William Nowak, who lives with his wife and disabled daughter, reportedly became upset when his son and daughter-in-law did not visit his wife over the weekend. According to the Palm Bay Police Department and court documents obtained by Law&Crime, the son and his wife normally visited weekly but had missed the prior visit.
After the couple arrived around 6 p.m., an argument broke out between Nowak and his son. At one point, Nowak allegedly told his son:
“Get out of my house or I’m going to shoot you.”
Immediately after making the threat, authorities say he went into the bedroom, grabbed a firearm, and returned to the kitchen where his son remained.
Shooting and Immediate Response
The son’s wife reportedly followed Nowak, urging him to put the gun down, but he ignored her pleas. Nowak then fired at his son, striking him in the face and jaw, according to authorities. The victim’s wife called 911 as Nowak returned to the bedroom, appearing confused and reportedly saying, “what just happened,” while crying and screaming.
Palm Bay police officers arrived at the scene to find the suspect still in the home and the victim barely able to speak. Officers conducted a safety sweep and discovered:
- A wet reddish-brown substance on the kitchen floor, presumed to be blood
- A spent shell casing consistent with the shooting
- The firearm in Nowak’s bedroom
- Additional suspected blood on the driveway
Medical Treatment for Victim and Suspect
The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital, where staff reported that the bullet fragmented into multiple pieces that remain lodged in his face and jaw, with no exit wound. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was sedated and unable to give a statement.
Meanwhile, Nowak was taken to a different hospital for high blood pressure and appeared incoherent, according to the arrest affidavit. After being medically cleared on Wednesday morning, he was booked into the Brevard County Jail.
Legal Proceedings Scheduled
Nowak made his first court appearance on Thursday and has an arraignment scheduled for January 8. He faces attempted murder charges stemming from the shooting.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the family’s condition beyond the immediate hospitalization of the victim, who is expected to require extensive medical care due to the bullet fragments lodged in his facial and jaw bones.
Community and Safety Concerns
The incident underscores the potential dangers of domestic disputes escalating into extreme violence, even within multi-generational households. Police officials urge families experiencing tension or caregiving stress to seek professional help or mediation to prevent similar tragedies.
What Do You Think?
How can families and communities better intervene to prevent domestic disputes from turning violent? Have you witnessed similar incidents where caregiving stress escalated into danger? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.
