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Eric Rodgers allegedly used a gun to threaten children who he claim played ding-dong ditch at his home. (Mug shot: Brevard County Sheriff’s Office)
A man is accused of stepping way over the line when some kids allegedly played ding-dong ditch at his expense: Eric Rodgers, 60, brandished a gun and kicked one of the victims in the butt, according to deputies.
“Want to see me shoot a kid?” he allegedly said when a woman intervened.
He is charged in Brevard County, Florida, with child abuse without great bodily harm and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
Authorities said this happened on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Rodgers, who told the responding deputy about having a gun, said that several children “ding-dong ditched” his home, running away after ringing his doorbell, according to the arrest affidavit.
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But he found two of the kids across the street. In the alleged confrontation, he yelled at them and made, in the words of the affidavit, “ambiguous threats that people get shot when they mess around.” He allegedly brandished the base of his gun when he did that.
“Mr. Rodgers then admitted to kicking the [redacted] juvenile in the butt, while he walked away and instructed the juvenile to spread the word amongst others,” deputies wrote.
According to authorities, the kid told them that Rodgers confronted him, openly pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot him. He also said that Rodgers kicked his backside.
Witnesses corroborated the story of Rodgers going to the kids, threatening to shoot them, the kicking, and slightly opening his own pocket to reveal something, though the object was unclear, according to the sheriff’s office.
Rodgers pleaded not guilty on Friday through his public defender Blaise Trettis, and he is seeking a trial, records show. His arraignment is set for Nov. 16.
