Report: DeLeon Springs man fatally shoots neighbor because he wouldn't get off his property

The DeLeon Springs man who was shot to death by a neighbor for trespassing had an extensive criminal record and deputies found two knives near his body. One of them, a buck knife, was out of its sheath, according to deputies.

Edward S. Druzolowski, of 1880 Alameda Drive, was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Brian Jack Ford, 42, who lived at 1890 Alameda Drive. He was being held in the Volusia County Branch Jail Monday without bail.

"I shot him"

In a 911 call, Druzolowski initially said Ford was pointing a gun at him, a claim he later contradicted. He said Ford was cutting down his trees so he told him to get off his property. He said Ford called him an (expletive) and began walking toward him.

"I was pointing my gun at him at the time to get him off my property and then he kept walking towards me really close, so I shot him," Druzolowski told the dispatcher.

"The first time it (the gun) just clicked, OK, and he kept walking towards me after he heard the first click, so I pulled the trigger again and I shot him," Druzolowski said. "I am sorry, I was really scared for my life."

Druzolowski sounded like he was having trouble breathing and dispatchers asked him if he needed an ambulance, a request he declined. Druzolowski's wife, who initially called 911, said she saw Ford push her husband.

Long criminal history

"I think he meant to scare him. I don't think he meant to do this," the woman told a 911 dispatcher.

Volusia County sheriff's detectives said Ford was trimming tree limbs along the fence line between 1880 and 1890 Alameda Drive when Druzolowski confronted him.

Ford's criminal history dates back to 2000 and includes 15 felony arrests.

Ford was arrested as recently as July 22, 2023, when he violated an injunction for protection for domestic violence, court records show. Although Ford was arrested for violating the injunction, the victim did not press charges, court documents show.

In 2021, Ford was arrested for battering his girlfriend with whom he shared three children, reports show.

When Ford was arrested for felony battery, he violated his probation stemming from charges of attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and shooting/throwing a deadly missile into a building/vehicle. He pleaded no contest to the charges.

Florida Department of Corrections records show Ford spent two years in prison for the offenses and was released June 12, 2022.

In 2015, Ford was also arrested for headbutting his mother in an argument over the care of an infant child, reports revealed. Ford also served prison time for attempted aggravated battery for throwing a metal pipe at his mother in 2020.