Two neighbors in Oldsmar are dead in an apparent murder-suicide, officials with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office say.
- Oldsmar neighbors dead in murder-suicide
- Happened on Pelican Drive East in Oldsmar
- Neighbors had history of not getting along
Deputies responded to the scene after receiving a call shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The body of 80-year-old Edwin Barthold was found outside his home at 40 Pelican Dr. E. in Oldsmar.
Deputies say Barthold’s neighbor, 75-year-old Steven Larson, was found dead at his home located at 39 Pelican Dr. E. from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Detectives say Larson shot Barthold to death. Barthold was shot six times.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said the two men had a history of not getting along.
"This is a case or a situation about two old guys that didn’t get along, and hated each other and one decided to go kill the other one and then kill himself," Gualtieri said.
Deputies said they responded to a call in April because of a physical fight between the two over sprinklers.
Neighbors say Larson was known for being a “hot head” but that they never thought he would do something like this.
“Nothing to this extent,” said Daniel Waite, a neighbor. “There had been words passed before and things like that, but not to the point of bringing a pistol and shooting somebody.”
Deputies also say Larson’s wife witnessed the incident.