Two teens say 81-year-old shot at them

A Williston man was being held at the Levy County jail on Wednesday evening for attempted murder after police received reports that he fired a shotgun at two teenagers who came to his home to see his granddaughter early that morning.

Benjamin Hammonds, 81, told officers he fired a shotgun into the ground to scare the juveniles, Williston Police reported.

But police were told by two teenagers that Hammonds raised the shotgun toward them.

The incident occurred just before 1:30 a.m. at SE 1st Avenue and 9th Terrace in Williston.

Another home across the intersection from the shooting had minor damage from the shots.

One of the youths had been on Hammonds' property at 930 SE 1st Ave., while the other was standing in the intersection text messaging on his cell phone when he saw Hammonds, police reported.

The two reported that Hammonds fired the gun toward them as they ran away.

The pair were at Hammonds' home to see his granddaughter, said Williston police Sgt. Matt Fortney.

"They were at his house to see the granddaughter and knocked at the home," Fortney said.

Hammonds came outside and was in the yard when he fired the weapon, Fortney said.

"One of the neighbors confirmed they heard pellets hit the house," Fortney said, explaining the damage from the shots to a nearby residence.

No bond had been set for Hammonds' release from jail, according to police.

No one was hurt during the incident, but two counts of attempted murder were pending against him for the shots fired at the teenagers.