A Florida man is facing attempted murder charges after deputies say he tried to kill his roommate with a crossbow during an early morning argument in Key Largo.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (via local Fox affiliate, Fox13), deputies responded to a disturbance call around 6 a.m. at a residence where two men, both in their 60s, had been living together for several years.
When officers arrived, they found 61-year-old George Henry Balboni lying in the front yard with a bloody face and several arrows scattered around him.
The victim, a 69-year-old man, told deputies the confrontation started after Balboni found a vodka bottle in the trash earlier in the week.
Balboni reportedly became enraged, calling his roommate a “parasite,” and later lured him to a vehicle on the property. Once there, investigators say Balboni fired an arrow at him but missed. The victim sustained only a small cut to his ear during the attack.
Deputies reported that a fight broke out immediately afterward. The victim was able to wrestle the crossbow away from Balboni and struck him with it, knocking him to the ground.
Balboni was left with visible head injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The victim declined medical attention.
During questioning, Balboni admitted to firing the crossbow and told investigators that he had no remorse for attempting to kill his roommate. Authorities confirmed the two men had a long history of disputes that had escalated over time.
Sheriff Rick Ramsay addressed the incident in a statement: “Violence is never the answer to a roommate dispute. It’s much easier to separate yourself from the situation, but this person did the total opposite and now faces very serious criminal charges.”
Balboni has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody. The victim is expected to recover fully from his injuries.