Monday, June 23, 2025
#1 News Source in Sebastian, Florida
SIGN UP FOR FREE NEWSLETTER
Sebastian Daily
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian, Florida
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising
No Result
View All Result
Sebastian Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Crime News and Arrests in Sebastian, Florida

Man pulls firearm over boat towing price in Fellsmere

Andy Hodges by Andy Hodges
Sep 1, 2022 / 6:27 PM
A A
Ronald Frank Barker (Photo: IRC Sheriff's Office)

Ronald Frank Barker (Photo: IRC Sheriff's Office)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

A 78-year-old man pulled out a handgun over the cost of towing his boat out of the stick marsh in Fellsmere. While no one was harmed during the incident, the tow boat operator feared for his life, the Fellsmere Police Department said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Ronald Frank Barker of Vero Beach called a towing company to recover his disabled boat in the stick marsh. Barker was out on the water most of the afternoon waiting to be towed.

Once the towing company arrived, Barker was under the impression the cost would be $1,000 for the tow. However, about halfway back to the boat ramp, the towing operator stopped to collect payment. They told Barker it would be $1,500 because of the time it took to locate the boat in the stick marsh.

The towing operator said that Barker boarded his vessel, grabbed him by the shirt, and refused to pay $1,500. The two argued over the cost until Barker pulled out a Ruger LCP .380 handgun from his waist and pointed it at the towing operator’s stomach, the affidavit said.

During the altercation, the towing operator began recording the incident on his cell phone, which showed Barker re-holstering his handgun. The towing operator agreed only to charge $1,000.

On the way to the boat ramp, the towing company called the Fellsmere Police Department because the towing operator believed another altercation would occur.

Officers took Barker into custody at the dock and recovered the pistol from his boat.

When speaking with the police, Barker said the towing operator shoved him, and that’s when he pulled out his gun. He also denied pointing it at the operator.

Barker was charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and transported to the Indian River County Jail, where his bond was set at $10,000.

FEATURED EVENTS

To add your event, call 772-925-5221.
Jun 23
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Allen Wronko at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jun 23
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Open Jam Night at Tiki Bar & Grill

Jun 24
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Kyle Kraft at Capt Hirams Resort (Sandbar)

Jun 24
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Event Series

Trivia at Capt Hirams Resort (Ramp Lounge)

Jun 24
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Pints & Prose: A Night of Story Telling at Pareidolia Brewing Company

View Calendar
Tags: Fellsmere FL News
Previous Post

2 Sebastian Police officers injured during mother and son arrest

Next Post

Sebastian Labor Day Weekend Weather Outlook

Next Post
Pelican flying in Sebastian, Florida (Photo: Andy Hodges)

Sebastian Labor Day Weekend Weather Outlook

HOMETOWN NEWS

Sebastian Recycling Club Offers Scholarships for SRHS Graduates

4th Annual Pareidolia Open Golf Scramble 2025 Set for July 26

Indian River County School District Saves $1.2 Million Through Strategic Reorganization

Celebrate 40 Years of Treasure at Mel Fisher Days 2025!

Local Author and Psychic Medium Pam Morley Releases Debut Book

Pro Fishing Tips for Snook, Bluefish, and More Heating Up!

INFORMATION

  • About Us
  • Advertise Your Business
  • Contact Us
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Signup for Newsletter

CONTACT

Main Number:  772-925-5221.

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Crime
    • Events
    • Food
    • Health
    • Health Inspections
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Restaurants
    • Schools
    • Traffic
  • Discover Sebastian
    • Indian River Lagoon
    • Moving to Sebastian, Florida
    • Sebastian Riverfront
    • Skydiving in Sebastian, Florida
    • Things to do in Sebastian, Florida
    • What’s it like living in Sebastian, Florida
    • 2024 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
    • 2023 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Subs in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarian in Sebastian
    • 2022 Sebastian Business Awards
      • Best Bars in Sebastian
      • Best Diners in Sebastian
      • Best Music in Sebastian
      • Best Pizza in Sebastian
      • Best Pubs in Sebastian
      • Best Restaurants in Sebastian
      • Best Sub Sandwiches in Sebastian
      • Best Veterinarians in Sebastian
      • Best Wings in Sebastian
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Fishing Report
  • Obituaries
  • Weather
  • Advertising

© 2025 Sebastian Daily. All Rights Reserved. Sebastian Daily® is a registered trademark of Sebastian Daily, LLC.