An elderly Volusia County man who claimed self-defense after fatally shooting his neighbor during a tree-trimming dispute will not face criminal charges.
According to Volusia County court records, an order dismissing the case against 79-year-old Edward S. Druzolowski was filed on Friday, December 27, after it was determined that he was immune from prosecution pursuant to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.
On September 17, 2023, Druzolowski was watching television in his home located at 1880 Alameda Drive in DeLeon Springs. At around 7 p.m., Druzolowski’s wife told him that his neighbor, Brian J. Ford, was trimming trees along the fence line between 1880 and 1890 Alameda Drive.
At the time of the fatal shooting, Ford was residing with his elderly mother at a property located at 1890 Alameda Drive, which was adjacent to Druzolowski’s home.
Court records indicate that Ford was “known throughout the neighborhood to have a reputation for violence.” He allegedly “bragged” about his time in prison and how he “beat up fellow inmates as well as other bad characters.”
Druzolowski armed himself with a firearm, which was wrapped in a handkerchief and placed in a holster. He then stepped outside to confront Ford about trimming tree branches along his fence line.
The order dismissing the case mentioned that Druzolowski was “lawfully armed” when he approached Ford and confronted him about being on his property. Druzolowski initially kept the firearm behind his back while asking Ford to “get off his property.”
Ford allegedly raised his voice and “cursed” at Druzolowski, which prompted Druzolowski to raise his firearm and point it at Ford. Moments later, Druzolowski demanded that Ford leave the property.
Court records show that Ford moved toward Druzolowski while stating,” You are pointing a gun at me, are you going to shoot me?” Ford then continued moving toward Druzolowski while “shouting and yelling.”
Druzolowski told law enforcement that he kept the first two rounds in his firearm empty for “safety purposes.” When Ford heard the first empty click from the firearm, he continued walking toward Druzolowski, and Druzolowski “fired until a bullet was discharged” and struck Ford.
Immediately after the shooting incident, Druzolowski yelled for his wife to call 911 for medical assistance, and he remained at the scene. A few minutes later, law enforcement officers arrived at the incident location and observed that Druzolowski was “clearly shaken.”
Officers attempted life-saving measures until EMS arrived. Ford was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
During separate interviews with investigators, Druzolowski gave consistent statements regarding the shooting.
After Druzolowski claimed self-defense, it was up to state prosecutors to prove that he was not entitled to immunity from criminal prosecution. However, following a hearing in Volusia County on November 25, 2024, the court determined that it was “reasonably necessary” for Druzolowski to defend himself from Ford’s “imminent use of unlawful force.”
Specifically, the court cited Ford’s “aggressive actions,” his “violent reputation,” and “the age and size differences between the two men” as reasons as to why Druzolowski believed that such force was necessary to defend himself.
The court ultimately determined that the state did not meet its burden of proof to overcome Druzolowski’s claim of immunity.