Golfer beats motorist after ball hits pickup truck, police say

Attack occurred at Harbour Village Links Golf Course in Ponce Inlet

PONCE INLET, Fla. – Police say they've made an arrest in connection with the beating of a motorist in Ponce Inlet. The motorist was beaten after a golf ball hit his window.

Investigators said David Barror, 43, of Ponce Inlet, hit the golf ball that prompted a fight that one police spokesman called, "vicious."

Ponce Inlet Police Chief Frank Fabrizio told Local 6 doctors even said Fillingame's injuries were so serious a few more blows could have made the situation life-threatening.

According to a police report, 63-year-old Richard Fillingame was driving along the 4500 block of South Atlantic Avenue when a golf ball hit his truck on Saturday evening. He got out of his vehicle and approached the golfer, resulting in an argument, police said.

"We know from witness statements he rolled down the berm and the subject was on top of him, pummeling him about the face and the head area," said Lt. Max Binz of the Ponce Inlet Police Department.

"There are two sides to every story," said Fabrizio. "He (Barror) told us he just snapped."

According to a charging affidavit obtained by Local 6

Local 6 has learned that Barror is an insurance agent in the Daytona Beach area and was a wrestler at the Citadel, where he graduated from in 1992.

Witnesses called 911 to report the violent attack happening right along the busy street cutting through town.

"I was watching this dude and another dude rolling down the hill beating the [expletive] out of each other," explained one caller. "The dude is unconscious as hell."

When police arrived, Fillingame said he could not remember what happened to him, and he was taken to a hospital.

Fillingame underwent surgery on Monday and is listed in stable condition at Halifax Health.


About the Author:

Erik Sandoval joined the News 6 team as a reporter in May 2013 and became an Investigator in 2020. During his time at News 6, Erik has covered several major stories, including the 2016 Presidential campaign. He was also one of the first reporters live on the air at the Pulse Nightclub shooting.

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