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Florida man accused of shooting at diving crew from airboat near St. Johns River

Richard Macko, 69, faces charges of aggravated assault

Aerial photo of the St. Johns River (University of North Florida)

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County man was arrested after shooting at a diving crew from his airboat over the weekend, according to the sheriff’s office.

Richard Macko, 69, faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.

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In an affidavit, deputies said they responded to the 10100 block of State Road 46 in Mims around 7:43 p.m. on Saturday.

They found a crew of divers who were tasked with repairing a nearby bridge, the affidavit shows. The crew was working on a floating barge that was marked to ward off other swimmers and boaters.

Despite that, an airboat — manned by Macko — began repeatedly driving near the barge, leading the crew members to yell at him to stay away, deputies said.

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Investigators said Macko pulled out a handgun and fired at least one shot in the crew’s direction. The crew laid down to avoid being struck, according to deputies.

Macko then began doing circles around the barge before driving off into the marsh, the affidavit said.

Detectives said they used video of the encounter provided by a crew member to track the airboat back to Macko.

On Wednesday, deputies told News 6 that Macko had been taken into custody in Titusville.


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