Mark Gibbon, a 62-year-old man from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, is facing serious legal repercussions after an incident during a family holiday in Florida ended with him charged with attempted second-degree murder. The incident took place at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, near the well-known Walt Disney World Resort, where a disagreement over grandchildren escalated into violence.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Department, Gibbon allegedly attempted to drown his 33-year-old daughter-in-law by pushing her under the water multiple times during their dispute in the pool. Sheriff Grady Judd expressed concern over the behavior exhibited by Gibbon, emphasizing the dual expectation for visitors and residents to conduct themselves appropriately in the county.
The confrontation reportedly began as a verbal argument over the couple’s grandchildren, which quickly escalated to physical aggression. Witness accounts revealed that a young girl, presumably a relative, leaped into the water in a desperate attempt to thwart Gibbon’s actions. It was only after neighbors intervened and indicated that they had called for police assistance that Gibbon ceased his aggression.
Gibbon was subsequently arrested and taken to Polk County Jail, where he now awaits further legal proceedings. The case raises critical questions about domestic disputes and the responsibilities that come with family interactions, particularly on public vacations.
