CLERMONT, Fla. — Body camera footage from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office captures deputies arresting a man accused of threatening neighbors with kitchen knives during a dispute over a noisy go-kart.
According to investigators, the confrontation unfolded Monday night on Eryn Boulevard in Clermont. A teenager had gone to a friend’s house to work on the go-kart inside a nearby garage when the noise sparked an argument.
Witnesses told deputies that the suspect, identified as Richard Carter, came across the street yelling and demanding that one of the young men leave the neighborhood.
Authorities say the situation quickly intensified. Carter allegedly threw a lawn chair before arming himself with a chef’s knife and a meat cleaver. Deputies said he threatened to “bash their heads in” if the go-kart engine was started again.
One of the victims told deputies Carter held a knife to their head. The victim said he was so frightened that he dropped to his knees and pleaded not to be harmed.
In the body camera video, Carter can be heard admitting he grabbed “the first thing” he could find in anger. Deputies responded by telling him, “You can’t do that.”
One of the victims, who did not want to go on camera, said he was shocked the incident happened and believes it may have been a misunderstanding, adding he has known the neighbor for years and his actions were out of character.
Carter’s wife declined to comment when asked at their home.
