A longstanding feud between two neighbors in Oldsmar’s Gull Aire Village mobile home park led to tragedy over the weekend, as a 75-year-old man reportedly shot and killed his 80-year-old neighbor before turning the gun on himself Saturday night.
A longstanding feud between two neighbors in Oldsmar’s Gull Aire Village mobile home park led to tragedy over the weekend, as a 75-year-old man reportedly shot and killed his 80-year-old neighbor before turning the gun on himself.
According to news reports, Steven Larson, 75, of 39 Pelican Drive East returned home from dinner with his wife at around 8:00 Saturday night when he called his neighbor, Edwin H. Barthold, 80, outside to talk.
Upon meeting in front of Barthold’s home at 40 Pelican Drive East, Larson reportedly shot Barthold in the head and chest with a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.
After shooting Barthold once in the chest, Larson continued firing the weapon into Barthold’s body, according to the report.
“There is no question he wanted to kill him,” Gualtieri said. “When someone shoots someone six times, that’s a man who is hell-bent.”
After shooting Barthold and leaving him lying in the street, Larson returned to his residence, where he entered the garage and reportedly shot himself through the mouth.
According to accounts, the two men had longstanding hostilities towards each other stemming from minor matters such as parking and sprinklers.
One incident that occurred this spring really affected Larson and could have led to Saturday’s tragedy, according to a family friend.
“Apparently, the 80-year-old neighbor (Barthold) and (Larson) had a fight a couple of months ago, and the 80-year-old knocked him out,” the friend, who wished to remain nameless, told Oldsmar Connect.
“Apparently, he (Larson) never got over it.”
Police reports show sheriff’s deputies were called to the area on April 11 after Larson complained that Barthold had punched him, causing him to fall and cut himself. Barthold denied the claim, according to police.
“These men antagonized each other,” Gualtieri said. “Obviously, it annoyed (Larson) to the point that he snapped.”
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