Keys man threatens to kill roommates over COVID-19 fear, police say

A Florida Keys man was jailed Thursday night after police said he threatened to kill his roommates for bringing people over to the home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Edwin Paul Dalton, 66, who is listed as retired, was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill.

Monroe County sheriff’s deputies were called to the 20 block of Flipper Road on Big Coppitt Key, at mile marker 10, at 8:40 p.m. They found several of the alleged victims in the street pointing at Dalton, who was in a nearby carport.

Dalton was wearing a loaded Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver in a holster, police said.

“Dalton was not holding the weapon,” said Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

“Dalton stated he was upset when he saw several children — teenagers — in his home,” Linhardt said.

Dalton is allowing a couple to live on his property and they brought over their grandchildren, all teens, and the kids’ friends.

“Dalton stated they were putting his life in danger, so he retrieved his revolver as well as a small bat to confront them,” Linhardt said.

Dalton said he tried to throw everyone off the property, but his story changed several times.

Eventually, he showed Deputy Brandon White a text message he had sent to a friend.

“Dalton’s text message clearly stated that he ‘might have to kill someone,’ and asked the friend to come over and help,” Linhardt said.

On Friday afternoon, Dalton was still locked up at the Stock Island Detention Center without bond.

This incident happened hours after county officials announced all hotels in the Keys must close at 6 p.m. Sunday in an effort to get tourists to leave the island chain.

Bars have already been shut down, leaving many without an income.

Key West has stopped restaurants from serving in their dining rooms, but the county is following the governor’s orders to stick to 50 percent capacity and keep tables six feet apart.

Monroe County has one reported case of COVID-19.

Gwen Filosa

Miami Herald

Gwen Filosa covers Key West and the Lower Florida Keys for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald and lives in Key West. She was part of the staff at the New Orleans Times-Picayune that in 2005 won two Pulitzer Prizes for coverage of Hurricane Katrina. She graduated from Indiana University.