Police: Son shot four times by dad on Father's Day

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — A New Smyrna Beach man is in critical condition after his father shot him multiple times on Father's Day, according to police.

Eugene Blackwell Sr., 46, allegedly shot Eugene Blackwell Jr., 18, about 6:15 p.m. Sunday as the teen tried to break up a fight between his parents.

Neighbors called 911 after hearing gunshots coming from the Edward Street home and seeing Blackwell Jr. running to a neighbor's house for help.

Police said the teen's mom left the house and the elder Blackwell shot his son four times.

"By the time I got outside, the kid was already laying in the driveway and I realized who it was," said neighbor Justin Avis.

"He was shot numerous times?" a dispatcher asked the neighbor who called 911.

"Numerous times, all over the body," the neighbor said. "He came running down to my house. He's screaming in pain. He says he can't breathe. I need authorities now."

The teen was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center, where he is being treated.

A family member stood with Blackwell's wife in court on Monday, asking the judge to keep her husband behind bars.

"They're petrified of him. This is my daughter. He's already beat her before. We've been through this before. She's scared to death of him," said the woman's father, Harry Mostert.

Other family members asked the judge to grant bond, including Blackwell Sr.'s brother, who speculated on what may have pushed his sibling too far.

"Family issues, probably," said Alvin Blackwell. "That I would say so, dealing with the wife and everything to start with."

Blackwell Sr. is being held without bail at the Volusia County Jail on attempted murder charges.

Channel 9 has since learned the elder Blackwell faced domestic violence charges in 2011 and 2012.

WFTV