A 67-year-old Dunnellon man was arrested after allegedly climbing onto his roof and pointing a gun at his neighbors.
On Wednesday at around 1:30 p.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a Dunnellon residence on SW Marine Boulevard in reference to a man shooting and killing a neighbor’s dog.
According to the MCSO report, there was an active Marion County Animal Control investigation to determine whether Lyal Loudenslager shot his neighbor’s dog in self-defense or if it was animal cruelty.
In the meantime, Loundenslager and his neighbors were advised by the deputy to avoid contact.
At around 6:45pm on Wednesday, the MCSO deputy received another call for service at the same residence stating that Loudenslager was on top of his roof and pointing a gun at his neighbors.
Upon arrival at the residence, Loudenslager was inside, and the deputy instructed him over the patrol car’s loudspeaker to step outside.
Loudenslager exited the residence and was detained. He told the deputy that there was an argument with his neighbors.
Loudenslager then stated that there was no argument, and instead his neighbors were plotting to get him into trouble.
When asked if he was on the roof and pointing his gun at them, Loudenslager denied it. His wife was standing nearby and confirmed that he was on the roof.
Loudenslager admitted that he was on the roof but denied having a gun. He claimed that his neighbors were peeking over the privacy fence, and he climbed onto the roof to watch them.
According to Loudenslager, there was no gun, and he simply pointed a finger at them.
The deputy interviewed the neighbors who stated that they were outside in the driveway when Loudenslager climbed onto the roof. He was looking down at them and an argument ensued.
According to the neighbors, Loudenslager pulled a firearm out of his front waistline and pointed it at them.
One of the neighbors took a cellphone picture of the incident, and the deputy observed Loudenslager holding something black and bulky, and his hand was in a firing stance.
Loudenslager was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and later released on bond.
He is facing four felony charges for aggravated assault and has a court date on December 21 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.