DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — A Deerfield Beach man appeared in court on Thursday on charges including attempted murder after deputies accused him of shooting his 19-year-old son in the hand in a dispute over music.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened on Sunday at the home of suspect Joseph Scott Higgins, located in the 200 block of Northeast Eighth Avenue.
A BSO arrest report states that an “extremely intoxicated” Higgins, 55, became angry at his son for playing “heavy metal music” to drown out loud music that Higgins’ girlfriend and her friends had been playing in the house.
Deputies said as Higgins yelled at his son despite pleas to calm down and “progressively became angrier,” he told his son, “I’m going to shoot you.”
According to the report, Higgins went to his bedroom, took out a revolver and pointed the gun at his son. He fired as his son grabbed the gun to redirect it, hitting him in the left hand.
Deputies said Higgins’ son pushed him to the ground and Higgins continued to fire, emptying the gun and continuing to pull the trigger even after all rounds were fired.
Authorities said after Higgins began pistol-whipping his son, his son pulled out a box cutter and slashed him in the neck in self-defense.
Higgins’ other sons, 12 and 14, witnessed the entire incident, deputies said.
Higgins’ wounded son went to a neighbor’s house and the neighbor called 911, the report states.
Much of the rest of the report was redacted, but deputies said Higgins’ ex-wife told them that he “has a history of domestic violence with her” and once pointed a gun at her head.
Higgins “has a criminal history of firing into a structure, aggravated assault and (resisting arrest) with violence,” the report states.
Like his son, Higgins was hospitalized at Broward Health North following the shooting and required surgery after being slashed.
His court appearance on Thursday came following his release from the hospital.
As of Thursday evening, he remained held without bond in the BSO Main Jail.
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