DAVENPORT, FL — A British tourist has been charged with attempted second-degree murder after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law in a Florida swimming pool during a family vacation.
Mark Gibbon, 62, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was staying at Solterra Resort near Walt Disney World when the incident occurred, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say Gibbon became involved in a heated argument with his 33-year-old daughter-in-law over his grandchildren while in the pool of their vacation rental. The situation escalated when he allegedly pushed her head underwater multiple times, preventing her from breathing.
A young girl reportedly jumped into the pool to intervene, and two neighboring vacationers who witnessed the altercation called the sheriff’s office. Deputies say Gibbon only stopped when he realized authorities had been contacted.
The woman survived the ordeal and reported the attack to law enforcement.
Gibbon has been charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery. He was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Sheriff Grady Judd commented, “It’s great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us… Because Mr. Gibbon couldn’t control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.”
The investigation is ongoing.
