A 69-year-old Fort McCoy man is facing felony battery and assault charges after he was accused of striking an elderly man with a walking stick and threatening to shoot him with a pistol.
On Monday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the elderly male victim who advised that he had come home with groceries when he noticed that his medication was missing, according to the MCSO report.
The victim stated that he accused a man, identified as Dennis Jay Balcom, of stealing the medication, and an argument ensued inside the residence. According to the victim, he then walked out of the home, and Balcom followed him with a walking stick.
Moments later, the victim advised that Balcom struck him on the arm with the walking stick. The victim told the deputy that he was able to grab the walking stick from Balcom, and he struck Balcom with it to “get him to stop,” according to the MCSO report.
According to the victim’s statement in the report, Balcom entered the residence and returned with a gun, which he pointed at the victim. Balcom then allegedly threatened to kill the victim and stated, “I will blow your head off.”
In the report, the deputy noted that the victim had a red scratch on his right arm, and it was bleeding.
The deputy made contact with Balcom. After being read his Miranda rights, Balcom stated that the victim “always accuses him” of stealing medication. Balcom told the deputy that an argument with the victim ensued, and Balcom admitted that he followed the victim outside of the home and swung the walking stick at him, according to the MCSO report.
Balcom advised that the victim then took the walking stick and broke it in half, and Balcom added that his head was struck by “something” in the process. The deputy noted in the report that there was a cut on top of Balcom’s head, but he refused medical treatment.
During the post-Miranda interview, Balcom admitted that he went back into the home and grabbed his Glock 17 pistol. He further admitted that he pointed the firearm at the victim in an attempt to “defuse the situation,” according to the MCSO report.
Balcom was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $6,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for battery on a person 65 years of age or older and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, according to jail records.