72-year-old homeowner accused of shooting at door-to-door salesmen, FL cops say

A pair of door-to-door salesmen found themselves dodging bullets when they got on the bad side of a 72-year-old homeowner, according to investigators in Southwest Florida.

The two men survived unscathed — after finding a hiding place in someone’s backyard, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported in a May 20 news release.

It happened Monday, May 19, in the Port Charlotte area, and the accused shooter, William M. Williams, has been arrested, the sheriff’s office said.

“Two men were going door-to-door ... attempting to sell solar panel packages for their company. When they arrived at (the suspect’s home) and knocked on the door, they were greeted by a woman who was upset that they were there and told them to leave,” the sheriff’s office said.

“As they began to leave the property, they suddenly heard multiple gunshots and turned to see a man ... pointing a gun in their direction. Williams then fired several more times toward them.”

The men ran to a nearby home and “frantically pounded on the door, asking for help.” The homeowner allowed them to hide in her backyard, then called the sheriff’s office, officials said.

“Deputies arrived and detained the suspect, who the victims were able to positively identify as the man who had shot at them,” the sheriff’s office said. “The neighbor confirmed that she had also heard several gunshots just prior to the men pounding on her door.”

A search of the property recovered multiple shell casings (along with one bullet) in the grass around Williams’ home, the sheriff’s office said. Multiple firearms and ammunition were discovered in the home, officials said.

“Williams declined to speak with detectives, asking instead for an attorney,” the sheriff’s office said. “He was placed under arrest, charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in public.”

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell called the incident a case of someone recklessly discharging a firearm.

“Thankfully, nobody was hurt by this individual’s actions, though I am sure the victims will not forget the fear they felt any time soon,” Prummell said.

“This man’s response to solicitors was absolutely uncalled for and could have been deadly. I pray that people can learn to regulate their emotions instead of jumping to violence so quickly.”

Port Charlotte is about a 95-mile drive south from Tampa.

This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 7:30 AM with the headline "72-year-old homeowner accused of shooting at door-to-door salesmen, FL cops say."