Man shot after breaking up bonfire party fight in Charlotte County as 1 arrest made

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

One person was shot and another was arrested after a large fight at a rural bonfire party on Cook Brown Road in Charlotte County early Sunday.

Deputies reported that two people started fighting, and more joined in. The victim, who attempted to break up the fight, was shot in the leg when gunshots went off.

Brian Foor told Gulf Coast News he collapsed on the ground after a bullet went through his leg and broke his femur. He said everyone ran after they heard gunshots. Foor told Gulf Coast News he only survived thanks to a friend who stayed and quickly loaded him into a truck and drove toward the ambulance.

The party was held in a rural area in Charlotte County, near ATV trails and unpaved roads. It is difficult to get to by car.

Foor is still at a local hospital recovering from surgery. He said he is in "excruciating" pain after four screws and a rod were installed in his leg.

"Just please be sure to let people know this was not right at all. I’m only 24 years old and could have died because one person made a bad decision," Foor said.

Deputies identified 23-year-old Darrin Hayward Jr. as the shooter. Hayward did not know Foor. Hayward stayed on the scene, called 911, and claimed he was punched by an unknown person, prompting him to fire the gun in the direction of the punch, not at a specific person, according to deputies. An affidavit said he stated that his armed and licensed security training "kicked in."

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office's major crimes unit investigated and determined this was not self-defense. They arrested Hayward Sunday and took him to the Charlotte County Jail for aggravated battery and trespassing while armed charges. He bonded out Monday.

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