Deputies say prior disputes between the pair led to repeated calls at the residence.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — An 84-year-old man with dementia shot his adult son Friday afternoon at their shared home in Kissimmee, authorities said, leaving the victim seriously injured and prompting an ongoing criminal investigation.
Deputies with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting occurred shortly before 1 p.m. at a home on Westmoreland Circle. The case has drawn attention to a pattern of domestic disputes at the residence and raised questions about how authorities handle incidents involving cognitive illness and firearms.
Investigators said the father, identified as Billy Leroy Barr, lived at the home with his son, a man in his 50s. According to officials, the incident unfolded after a series of arguments between the two men in recent days. Deputies had responded to the address three times within the previous 10 days for verbal altercations. On Friday, emergency crews arrived to find the son suffering from a gunshot wound. He was airlifted to a hospital and taken into surgery. Authorities have not released details about the extent of his injuries.
Barr was taken into custody at the scene without incident and later arrested. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied dwelling, and improper exhibition of a firearm. Officials said he was interviewed by detectives following the shooting. The sheriff’s office confirmed Barr had been diagnosed with dementia, though investigators have not said how that condition may have affected the events leading up to the shooting.
Neighbors described the street as quiet and were stunned by the heavy law enforcement presence. Gigi German, who lives nearby, said the situation was heartbreaking and reflected the challenges families face when caring for relatives with memory-related illnesses. German said she also cares for an elderly family member with dementia and understands how quickly situations can escalate. “It’s sad all around,” she said, describing the incident as a family tragedy rather than a threat to the broader neighborhood.
Records show deputies had been called to the home multiple times in recent days, but those earlier incidents involved verbal disputes and did not result in arrests. Investigators have not publicly detailed what led to the escalation from arguments to gunfire. It remains unclear whether the shooting occurred inside the home or in another part of the property.
Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to review evidence and interview witnesses. Officials have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed or whether mental health evaluations will play a role in the case. Under Florida law, authorities can consider involuntary mental health holds in certain situations, though no such decision has been publicly confirmed in this case.
As of Friday evening, the son remained in surgery, and no update on his condition had been released. The sheriff’s office said more information would be provided as the investigation develops.
Author note: Last updated April 4, 2026.