Benjamin Vickery, aged 50, tragically lost his life on December 25, 2018, in Plant City, Florida. The incident occurred on Christmas night and was the result of a long-standing family feud. Benjamin was shot by his father, Guy Richard Vickery, who was 82 years old at the time. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office reported that the shooting happened during an argument between the father and son.
According to witness statements, the argument escalated, leading Guy Vickery to retrieve a gun from his bedroom. He then chased after Benjamin, who was attempting to flee, and shot him in the upper body. Benjamin was taken to South Florida Baptist Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The relationship between Benjamin and his father had been strained for many years, with a history of violent altercations. In February 2000, Guy Vickery had previously shot Benjamin in the shoulder during a confrontation. At that time, authorities determined that Guy acted in self-defense, as Benjamin had been physically assaulting him. Despite the previous incident, tensions between the two persisted, ultimately culminating in the fatal shooting on Christmas night in 2018.
Following the incident, Guy Vickery was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a weapon, a first-degree felony in Florida. He was held without bond at the Hillsborough County jail on Falkenburg Road. The arrest affidavit detailed the events leading up to the shooting, including the argument and the subsequent chase. The case drew significant attention due to the familial nature of the crime and the tragic timing of the incident on Christmas.
The legal proceedings against Guy Vickery highlighted the complexities of the case, given the history of violence and the claims of self-defense in the previous shooting. The charge of manslaughter with a weapon carries severe penalties, including the possibility of up to 30 years in prison. The case underscored the challenges faced by the legal system in addressing domestic violence and familial conflicts that escalate to deadly violence.
