Elderly man attacked neighbor, a senior on a ladder, with spray used ‘to keep kids away,’ report say

By LENNY COHEN

TAVARES, Fla. (CohenConnect) – A senior citizen is in serious trouble after he allegedly attacked his neighbor — another senior, who was standing on a ladder — with an unknown spray.

The victim told police in Florida “he was outside working on his privacy fence,” last Saturday afternoon, Aug. 31.

The fence “separates his property from his neighbor,” and the arrest report said the neighbor, Terrell Nicholson, has had issues with it.

This latest time, the victim was “on a ladder, working on his side of the property,” and that’s when “his neighbor approached him from the other side of the fence and sprayed him in the face with an unknown substance.

“The victim advised that he never spoke to his neighbor before being sprayed.

“It should be noted,” the officer wrote, “that there have been multiple involvements between the victim and his neighbor, all civil and in favor of the victim.

“The victim stated that his neighbor had contacted law enforcement multiple times in reference to his privacy fence.

“The victim has constructed his privacy [fence] following all codes by the city of Tavares.”

The officer went over to the neighbor, where Nicholson said “he was upset with the victim about his fence.”

Then, he reportedly admitted, “He approached his neighbor and sprayed him with an unknown substance.

“The neighbor advised that it was only meant to aggravate the victim; he did not think it could cause any damage.

“The neighbor stated he uses the spray to keep kids away from his property while riding their bikes.”

Terrell Nicholson was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older, Aug. 31, 2024.Photo by(Lake Co. Sheriff’s Office)

The unknown substance in the spray bottle is still unknown. The bottle was collected as evidence and whatever was inside has not been disclosed.

“The victim refused any medical treatment on scene,” the officer wrote.

Nicholson, 87, was charged with aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older, which is a felony. The report did not list the victim’s age.

Nicholson spent 19-and-a-half hours in jail until his release on his own recognizance.