Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Donald Manion, 51, was arrested yesterday and charged with battery on a 66-year-old man after allegedly hitting the victim with his own gun for 20 minutes while threatening to kill him and trying to pull the trigger on the gun.

The 66-year-old victim was reportedly sitting in his truck on private property when Manion arrived at the residence. The victim told an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that the property owner had told him that Manion was going to shoot up the home because he believed his belongings were missing from the property owner’s shed. The property owner also reported said Manion had threatened to kill the victim and the property owner when he returned.

When Manion arrived, he walked toward the victim’s truck; the victim told the deputy that because of the threats, he believed Manion had a gun, so he took out his revolver and put it on the passenger seat of the truck, next to his dog. He said Manion opened the door of the truck and grabbed him, and while the victim was trying to keep his dog from charging at Manion, Manion allegedly grabbed the gun the victim had placed on the seat.

The victim said Manion grabbed his jacket and pulled him to the ground, then got on top of him and battered him for approximately 20 minutes. The victim said Manion poked him in the face five or six times with the barrel of the revolver while threatening to kill him; the victim said each time Manion poked him with the gun, Manion tried to pull the trigger, and the arrest report states that the victim “would place his hand in the area of the handle to prevent the gun from going off.”

Read Related Also: Amy and Ross Vilardi accused of killing their own family

The deputy reported that the victim suffered significant injuries to his hand, along with significant injuries to his face and ear. The deputy also reported that medical staff later said the victim’s hip was broken and that he was admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Post Miranda, Manion reportedly declined to answer questions. However, he reportedly later stated spontaneously that he took the revolver from the victim and dismantled it, then threw the pieces in different directions.

A witness who appears to be related to Manion reportedly told the deputy that when Manion arrived, the victim got out of his truck and pointed the revolver at Manion, saying he would shoot him. The witness said Manion then took the revolver from the victim and started fighting with him.

Manion, who is described as homeless in court documents, has one misdemeanor conviction (non-violent). Judge Mark Moseley set bail at $2,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.