Spilled beer leads to a man bludgeoning another with a hatchet in Pensacola, sheriff says
A 56-year-old South Carolina man is in custody in Florida, charged with attempted murder after investigators in Pensacola say he attacked another man with a hatchet over a spilled beer.
According to the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, the victim had gone to meet the suspect, later identified as Danny Paul “Dino” Tharp, at Tharp’s tent in the 7700 block of North Davis Highway.
Although Tharp’s jail profile lists a South Carolina address, investigators believe he was living in the tent in a homeless encampment off North Davis Highway.
Tharp accused the other man of spilling a beer, prompting an argument between the two. At some point, Tharp grabbed a hatchet and began swinging it wildly at the victim, according to the sheriff’s office, striking him multiple times.
Despite his injuries, the victim was able to flee the scene and locate deputies, who noted blood coming from the victim’s eye and around his mouth.
Once the victim provided a description of Tharp, deputies located him a short time later walking along a street, accompanied by another man. Tharp was taken into custody without incident.
The hatchet believed to have been used in the attack was found near the scene and deputies also found blood on both the inside and outside of the tent.
Tharp is being held without bond at the Escambia County Jail awaiting a Nov. 17 court appearance.