Staff report
WALDO, Fla. – Teddy Joseph Stanze, a 27-year-old from Keystone Heights, found himself in police custody yesterday after being accused of aiming a firearm at seven individuals on a boat located at the Lake Alto Boat Ramp.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. on June 26, a deputy from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an armed disturbance at the boat ramp. Upon his arrival, the deputy witnessed a physical altercation between two men, during which Stanze allegedly pushed one of them. The deputy detained Stanze and instructed the others present to sit on the grass. The victims informed the deputy that the firearm had been returned to its holster in Stanze’s utility vehicle.
One male victim, who was acquainted with Stanze, recounted spending part of the day with him in the utility vehicle, where he noticed the pistol but was unconcerned due to their amicable relationship. However, the situation escalated after Stanze reportedly became upset and started drinking, triggered by the departure of a woman he had been flirting with from the park.
An adult female victim, who was on the boat at the time, reportedly suggested that Stanze leave in his utility vehicle. Ignoring this, Stanze allegedly attempted to board the boat. Another woman tried to prevent him by raising her hand, only for Stanze to allegedly slap her hand away as he continued his attempt to board.
The adult male victim stood up and pulled out a folding knife, opened it, and told Stanze he would cut him if he tried to board the boat.
Stanze allegedly told one of his children to get his gun from the utility vehicle, and when the juvenile brought the gun, Stanze removed it from its holster and allegedly aimed it toward the seven people on the boat, saying he would “blow their heads off,” before placing the gun back in its holster and setting it down.
After Stanze calmed down, the adult male victim returned the pistol to him, hoping he would leave, but when Stanze noticed an adult female victim calling 911, he allegedly charged at her. The adult male victim ran after Stanze, they both assumed fighting stances, and Stanze allegedly tried to punch the adult male victim, but a witness stepped between them.
The witness told the deputy that he did not see the entire incident, but the parts he saw matched the account of the adult male victim.
Post Miranda, Stanze was reportedly vague and hard to follow, but he admitted to getting into an argument with the adult male victim. He said he never got on the boat, and he wasn’t afraid of the adult male victim or his knife. He said he never touched any of the victims and said he picked up his gun but did not remove it from the holster.
The deputy arrested Stanze and charged him with seven counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault, battery, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He has no local criminal history. Judge Joy Danne set bail at $120,000.
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.