64-year-old man murdered in Florida by stranger while gardening in his yard, suspect in custody

A Florida man who was gardening at his home was shot dead on Wednesday in what police have called a random act of violence. The suspected murderer has been arrested.

A 911 call was placed about a suspicious person in Ocala, Florida, who was later identified as Isaac Toye, 29. The suspect had been walking with a gun in the neighborhood on Southeast Third Street, per police reports.

Minutes later, another 911 call reported that 64-year-old Harold Harper was shot in his front yard in the back of the head. When police arrived, they found Harper's body with a single gunshot wound. Toye was then found a short distance away with a 9mm pistol in his jacket. The shell that was found next to Harper's body was a match to the gun carried by Toye, who was also carrying more ammo.

A neighbor said that when she stepped outside after hearing the gunshot, she saw Harper's wife scream out, "My husband is dead." Harper was gardening in his yard at the time of the shooting. He used the activity as a form of therapy after he had major surgery on his neck.

Officers said they do not think that Toye and Harper knew each other, and it was a random act of violence against the elderly man. “He was a wonderful neighbor. His passion was gardening. He kept his yard well-groomed, and he loved the outdoors. He was just a very nice man; always said hello,” neighbor Joan Zoeller said, per WTOC.

Another neighbor, Billy McLean, said, "Well, to me it’s scary. I mean, Ocala, in my opinion, is a scary place. I lived in New York for many years, and I actually felt safer in New York than I do in Ocala."

Toye was arrested and booked on murder charges and is being held without bond. His next court date has been set for Feb. 10.