THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA: A Florida man's arrest has brought attention to a tragic incident that occurred on a golf course back in June. The suspect, identified as 76-year-old Robert Edward Moore Jr, is facing a charge of aggravated manslaughter on an elderly person following an altercation that ultimately led to the death of 87-year-old Dean William Zook.
The incident unfolded at the Glenview County Club in The Villages on June 28. The catalyst was an accidental collision between Zook's vehicle and a car that Moore believed was his own. This seemingly minor accident quickly escalated into a confrontation.
Unprovoked assault unfolds on golf course
“At the time, an unknown white male subject approached the scene of the minor accident and exclaimed, ‘What the hell, you hit my car!’” the affidavit read. “The victim admitted to hitting the vehicle with his vehicle and asked to exchange insurance information. The unknown subject then struck the 87-year-old victim in the jaw with a closed fist, pushing him backwards,” reported Fox News.
Despite attempting to shield himself with his hands, Zook was unable to prevent the assault. The Florida man, later identified as Moore, left the scene upon realizing that the vehicle did not belong to him. However, the aftermath of the encounter took a devastating toll on Zook's health.
During subsequent interactions with law enforcement, Zook's condition deteriorated, with slurred speech and unsteadiness becoming apparent. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where medical examinations revealed that he had sustained a brain injury, and it was bleeding. Tragically, Zook passed away on July 16, just a day before he would have turned 88.
'He did not think he was 87 years of age'
Subsequent investigations uncovered a critical piece of evidence that linked Moore to the incident. The Florida man's apprehension occurred when authorities came across an article detailing his achievement of scoring a hole-in-one in November 2022. Notably, he was found to be donning the exact attire - shorts, shoes, and sunglasses - as he had during the incident.
During questioning by law enforcement, Moore admitted to his involvement but claimed that he believed Zook was attempting to flee the scene of the accident. The Florida man also asserted that he was unaware of the victim's age, despite acknowledging that he appeared older and frail. “The defendant also admitted to knowing the victim was older and appeared to be frail, but stated he did not think he was 87 years of age,” the affidavit said.
The Florida man was taken into custody without resistance and transported to the Sumter County Detention Center. He is now free on a bond of $30,000. The Sumter County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the incident.
