A Florida grandfather was preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends when he was shot and killed by a neighbor who had been arguing over loud music inside his gated community.
Freleyon McLean, 72, was shot to death Thursday at an apartment on Somerset Drive in Lauderdale Lakes just after 3:30 p.m., according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
MacLean went down to talk to the suspected gunman, who lived in the apartment below him, but the man reportedly complained that his grandfather's music was too loud.
Police say an argument broke out and the unnamed suspect pulled out a gun and fired, fatally wounding the suspect.
“He was playing his own music and the other person said he was playing it really loud,” said MacLean's wife, Rose. he told NBC South Florida. “So my husband went to him.”
The grieving wife said she didn't realize her husband had gone downstairs, but knew something was wrong when she heard a single gunshot.
“I heard a gunshot, and I ran towards the door. I saw my husband lying face down, covered in blood,” she said. he told WSVN.
Rose MacLean claimed the suspected killer showed no remorse for the shooting and threatened her life if she did not stop talking.
“He didn't apologize. He just stood there and looked at me with the gun in his hand the same way,” she told the outlet. “And I go to him and say, “Why did you shoot my husband?'' Why?'' And he said to me, “If I didn't shut up, I'll shoot too.''
McLean, a civilian bus driver, was the father of two sons and a grandfather.
“No matter where he is, I'm always with him. We're like a team together. To have him taken away like this, believe me, is very difficult,” Rose said. Said.
McLean's pastor, Tracy McLeod, led a prayer circle with the victim's family and friends outside the apartment as they waited for an update from police on the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
MacLeod told the same media outlet, “It's strange that we have gotten into a situation where we as humans should respect life, but we don't respect it.'' “Who would have thought something so tragic would happen?”
Lauderdale Lakes is located 52 miles north of downtown Miami.
The suspected gunman remained at the scene and was cooperative with police during his arrest and interrogation.
Police said the man claimed self-defense in the shooting.
Officials said the case will be turned over to the Broward County State's Attorney's Office after the investigation concludes to determine whether charges will be filed.
