PALM BAY, FL – A family gathering turned violent Tuesday night when an 84-year-old Palm Bay man allegedly shot his son in the face, authorities say, after an argument about the son’s absence over the weekend.
The son, whose name has not been released, reportedly suffered a gunshot wound to the face and is recovering at a local hospital. The bullet remains lodged in his jaw and face, having fragmented into several pieces. Doctors determined the wound had no exit point, and the injuries required sedation, leaving the victim unable to immediately recount his version of events to investigators.
The dispute happened inside the family’s home on Hawksbill Street Northwest, where the elderly man, William Nowak, has been caring for both his wife—currently receiving at-home hospice care—and their disabled daughter. According to court documents, the son and his wife made what she described as their regular weekly visit that evening, arriving around 6 p.m.
Tensions reportedly escalated when Nowak confronted his son and daughter-in-law over their absence the previous weekend, expressing frustration that they had not visited his ailing wife. The conversation soon intensified, culminating in a threat of violence. According to investigators, Nowak warned his son to leave or face being shot before retrieving a firearm from his bedroom.
Witnesses described a frantic attempt to de-escalate the situation, with the son’s wife following Nowak into the bedroom, urging him to put down the gun. Despite her pleas, Nowak allegedly walked back into the kitchen, where his son was standing, raised the weapon, and pulled the trigger.
The victim’s wife immediately called 911 as Nowak retreated to his bedroom, later emerging without the gun and appearing distraught and confused, according to responding officers. Police found evidence of the shooting inside the home, including blood on the kitchen floor, a spent shell casing, and a firearm located on a bed in Nowak’s bedroom. Additional signs of blood were also found on the driveway outside.
First responders rapidly arrived and provided emergency medical aid to the son before transporting him to the hospital. As of late Tuesday night, he remained sedated due to the extent of his injuries and had not yet been able to make a statement to detectives.
Meanwhile, Nowak was taken to a separate hospital to address high blood pressure and was reportedly incoherent during questioning. After being medically cleared, he was transported to the Brevard County Jail, where he faces charges of attempted murder.
Nowak appeared in court for the first time on Thursday. He remains in custody, with his next court date scheduled for January 8.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, as the victim remains hospitalized and the family grapples with the aftermath of the violence that erupted inside their home.