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Florida man whacks acquaintance with hatchet during argument over spilled beer, deputies say

By Dani Medina
Published  October 25, 2023 11:20am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 35 Orlando

Stream FOX 35 News:

PENSACOLA, Fla. - A Florida man has found himself behind bars after he allegedly whacked an acquaintance with a hatchet several times during an argument over spilled beer, according to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. 

Danny Tharp was arrested and charged with attempted homicide after the incident that unfolded in the 7700 block of North Davis Highway in Pensacola on Monday. 

An acquaintance was visiting Tharp's nearby tent when the 56-year-old man accused him of spilling a beer, deputies said. That sparked an argument, and Tharp continued to blame the victim. That's when Tharp allegedly grabbed a silver hatchet with a blue handle and started to swing it toward the man, striking him several times, deputies said. 

Photo: Escambia County Sheriffs office

"As you can imagine, the act was imminently dangerous and demonstrated a depraved mind with no regard for human life. It was a bad deal!" the Escambia County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook. 

The man was able to leave the tent and seek help from deputies, who were eventually able to catch up with Tharp based on his description from the victim. 

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Deputies found a silver hatchet with a blue handle near the scene. They were also able to determine which tent the incident happened in after noticing blood on the inside and outside of it, deputies said. 

Tharp was transported to the Escambia County Jail. Deputies said on Facebook that he was given no bond "since it sure seemed like he tried to kill the victim," but arrest records show he was issued $300,000 bond. As of Wednesday morning, Tharp remains in jail with a court date scheduled for Nov. 17.