Bradenton man thought his neighbor drove on his lawn. Out came the AR-15 rifle, cops say

Images of the elderly guy yelling “get off my lawn” is a phenomenon for the ages, but one 66-year-old Bradenton man took it too far when he pulled out an AR-15 rifle, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Boston was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with two felony counts of using a deadly weapon without intent to kill.

Deputies say Boston presumed his neighbor drove onto the lawn of his home in the 900 block of Mill Creek Road. Though he didn’t see it or know his neighbor personally, he went to the victim’s house and began banging on the door, according to the sheriff’s office.

According to the arrest report, the victim and Boston began arguing. Boston started walking back to his home while yelling he was going “to shoot that (expletive),” while pointing back to the victim.

A second person in the house called 911 and as that person was on the phone, they looked out the window and saw Boston walking back toward their residence with an AR-15 rifle in his hands, according to the report.

The victims retreated to the back of the house to await deputies and Boston began to repeatedly bang on their door again, this time armed with the weapon, deputies say.

Boston was located behind his residence when deputies arrived and he was taken into custody without further incident.

According to jail records, Boston is being held without bond pending a future court date.

This story was originally published February 21, 2020 at 11:16 AM.