Palm Bay, Florida – An 84-year-old Palm Bay man is facing an attempted murder charge after police say he shot his adult son in the face during a heated argument over family visits while the suspect’s wife was receiving in-home hospice care.
According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by authorities, the shooting occurred Tuesday evening at a residence on Hawksbill Street Northwest, where the suspect, William Nowak, lived with his wife and their disabled daughter.
Argument Over Hospice Visit Turned Violent
Investigators say Nowak’s wife had recently been placed on at-home hospice care, and Nowak had been acting as her primary caregiver. On Tuesday around 6 p.m., Nowak’s son and daughter-in-law arrived at the home for what they described as a routine weekly visit.
Soon after their arrival, Nowak allegedly became upset and confrontational, expressing anger that the couple had not visited over the weekend while his wife was in hospice care.
Police state that the disagreement quickly escalated into a verbal argument between father and son.
‘Get Out of My House’
According to the affidavit, Nowak threatened his son during the confrontation, saying words to the effect of:
“Get out of my house or I’m going to shoot you.”
Authorities say the threat was followed immediately by action. Nowak reportedly walked into his bedroom and retrieved a firearm.
The victim’s wife followed him, pleading for him to put the gun down. Police say Nowak ignored her and walked back into the kitchen, where his son was still standing.
Son Shot in the Face
Investigators allege that Nowak pointed the firearm directly at his son and fired a single shot, striking him in the face.
The victim’s wife immediately called 911, reporting that her father-in-law had just shot her husband in the head. After the shooting, Nowak returned to his bedroom and later emerged without the gun, appearing disoriented and distraught.
According to police, Nowak made statements indicating confusion about what had happened and began crying and screaming inside the home.
Police Response and Evidence Found
Palm Bay police officers arrived at the scene and found the victim barely able to speak due to his injuries. Officers detained Nowak without further incident and conducted a safety sweep of the residence.
Inside the kitchen, officers observed a reddish-brown substance believed to be blood on the floor, along with a single spent shell casing consistent with a shooting. A firearm was later recovered from the suspect’s bed in the bedroom. Suspected blood was also found on the driveway outside the home.
Victim’s Condition and Medical Update
First responders transported the injured son to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Medical staff later reported that the bullet did not exit the victim’s body and instead fragmented into multiple pieces that remain lodged in his face and jaw.
As of late Tuesday night, doctors said the victim required sedation due to the severity of his injuries and was unable to provide a statement to investigators.
Suspect Hospitalized, Then Jailed
Following his arrest, Nowak was transported to a different hospital after exhibiting high blood pressure. According to the detective who authored the affidavit, Nowak appeared incoherent and was unable to answer questions at that time.
After being medically cleared Wednesday morning, Nowak was transferred to the Brevard County Jail, where he is being held on an attempted murder charge.
Court Proceedings Ahead
Nowak made his first court appearance on Thursday, and court records indicate that his arraignment is scheduled for January 8. No further details about bond conditions or additional charges have been released.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather medical updates and witness statements related to the case.
If you or someone you know is caring for a loved one in hospice and feeling overwhelmed, local support services and caregiver resources are available to help manage stress and prevent crisis situations.
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