PALM BAY, FL – An 84-year-old Palm Bay man is facing an attempted murder charge after authorities say a family dispute turned violent inside his home earlier this week, leaving his son hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the face.
The incident unfolded Tuesday evening at a house on Hawksbill Street Northwest, where William Nowak was caring for his wife, who is receiving hospice care, as well as their adult disabled daughter. It was during an apparent routine visit that tempers flared, leading to a rapid escalation, police said.
Nowak’s son, whose name has not been released, and the son’s wife arrived around 6 p.m. for what was supposed to be a standard weekly visit. Tensions rose almost immediately, according to a police affidavit, when Nowak confronted them about their absence over the weekend. He reportedly expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of support for his wife during her declining health.
An argument soon broke out in the kitchen, with emotions running high on both sides. According to investigators, Nowak’s anger reached a breaking point, and he threatened to take drastic action if his son did not leave. He then retreated to his bedroom, emerging moments later with a firearm.
Despite his daughter-in-law’s attempt to calm him down and persuade him to put the weapon away, Nowak returned to the kitchen. Authorities say he raised the gun toward his son and fired, the bullet striking his son in the face. The sudden act of violence left his son seriously wounded and unable to respond at the scene.
The victim’s wife immediately called for help, telling dispatchers her father-in-law had shot her husband in the head. Officers arrived quickly and secured the scene, finding signs consistent with a shooting, including a shell casing in the kitchen and suspected blood trailing to the driveway.
First responders rendered aid to the injured man, who was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency care. Medical staff determined the bullet had fragmented and lodged in his jaw and face. The severity of the wounds required him to be sedated, and he was unable to provide a statement to police as of late Tuesday night.
Following the shooting, Nowak appeared distraught, reportedly crying and asking what had just happened. Police took him into custody at the scene. He was taken to another hospital to be evaluated for high blood pressure and was described as incoherent during questioning.
After being medically cleared, Nowak was transferred to the Brevard County Jail on Wednesday. He appeared before a judge on Thursday to face the attempted murder charge. His arraignment is scheduled for January 8.
Investigators continue to piece together the events that led to the shooting as the family and community grapple with the fallout from a tragic confrontation inside a home already coping with illness and strain.