Monroe County deputies said a Florida Keys man stabbed another man during an argument about parenting and also pointed a rifle at him, FL Keys News reported. Rodney Steven Heath, 57, of Big Pine Key, allegedly pulled a pocket knife on Paul Rogers, 36, last Thursday (October 15). Rogers has a child with Heath's daughter.
“He’s lucky he moved his head or I would have stabbed him in the throat,” Heath allegedly told law officers. An arrest report said a discussion about parenting lead to the confrontation. Heath's wife and Rogers were speaking about his parenting style, and Heath said Rogers "got mouthy" with his wife. Heath then went into the backyard and united Rogers' boat from the dock. That's when the fight started.
“Cellphone video taken by the victim corroborated his account of the incident,” Adam Linhardt said, sheriff’s office spokesman. Heath pushes Rogers down a couple times in the video and can be heard saying, "I will cut you," according to the report. Authorities added that Heath brandished an AR-15 rifle and pushed Rogers with the barrel.
Deputies arrived at a home on Cardinal Lane around 9 p.m. Rogers had a puncture wound on his forehead and on the top of his head. He also had some small cuts on his chest and stomach. Rogers was also treated by paramedics at the scene, but he declined to go to the hospital. "Heath had no visible injuries but complained of elbow pain," FL Keys News said.
Authorities arrested Heath, who is facing felony charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a weapon. Rogers told authorities that he won't press charges. As of Friday afternoon (October 16), he remains in jail without bond.
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